‘Swu’s death is a huge loss to the ongoing talks process’ – RN Ravi

KOHIMA: Days after the death of NSCN (IM) Chairman, Isak Chishi Swu, Centre's interlocutor for Naga talks, RN Ravi said it is a huge loss to the ongoing Naga peace talks. However, the government will move the talk for peace forward and will try to find a solution as soon as possible.

Ravi stated that Swu was a senior leader of Nagaland and he had been highly influential to the people of the State. Adding that, "He had towering presence on the peace talks between the Government of India(GoI) and the NSCN(I-M)."

On whether Swu's death would hamper and slow down the talk process, Ravi said, "As far as the Government of India is concerned, the talks would be taken to its logical conclusion. The Government is keen on finding an early solution to the issue as talks have been going on for a long time."

The NSCN (IM) will appoint a new chairman in a matter of time and thus, RN Ravi further stated that, "It is an organisational matter of the NSCN(I-M) and the Government has nothing to do with that. But the Government is of the view that the death of Swu should not slow down the process of talks,"

Ravi pointed out that Swu was not keeping well for the past about eight months and he did not take active part in the talks during the period. But he was kept informed about the major developments and he even signed the framework agreement between the Government and the militant outfit.

He went to say that the Government of Assam is yet to take part in the peace talk process on Naga issues. It is to be noted that the Assam Government did not attend the talks when it was invited a few months back saying that it would not be possible for it to attend the talks as the elections to the State Assembly was approaching. However, the by polls have been dealt with and the Centre's interlocutor said he would soon remind the Assam Government about the invitation to attend the consultations on the Naga talks and hoped that the new Government would soon make its stand clear on the issue.

Meanwhile, the negotiations with the governments, the people of Nagaland and Arunachal have improved and are progressing well. Ravi reiterated that major issues can only be resolved through peace talks.

Isak Chisi Swu, staunch Naga rebel and co-founder of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), met his life's end after months of combating chronic health issues. He died on June 28 2016.

(agencies)

Featured Image: dailyhunt.in