New Delhi, December 20: Lok Sabha MP from Manipur Dr Thokchom Meinya has raised questions on the activities of Naga outfits in the Parliament during its ongoing session yesterday.

In reply to his questions, the Union Minister of State for Home S Regupathy told Lok Sabha, 'There are reports of extortion by underground groups including NSCN (IM)." Dr Meinya also said there were some reports that NSCN (IM) had been recruiting fresh cadres.

However, he informed that there was no firm data in this regard.

Referring to the action taken by the Government on extortion, S Regupathy said that the Government had taken a number of steps to check the extortion including payment of salaries by cheques, execution of large projects by established organizations, improving the security and safety on the National Highways and major roads and strengthening presence of security forces in major towns in order to improve security environment in these areas.

On the settlement of Naga issue, the Union Minister of State for Home said, " A Group of Ministers has been constituted to hold talks with NSCN (IM) on the Naga issue.

The latest round of talks between Government of India team led by Oscar Fernandes, Union Minister of State for Labour and NSCN (IM) leaders took place between December 4-6 this year at Amsterdam.

The talks are inconclusive and it has been agreed to resume discussions early next year".