New Delhi, June 23: Government today said the long-drawn negotiations between it and the Naga insurgent outfit NSCN(I-M) are still continuing.

�The Group of Ministers constituted for the purpose are carrying out the negotiations.

These are continuing and there is nothing to report,� Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said while replying to a question on the issue.

The NSCN(I-M) has recently stated that the Government lacked the �political will� to resolve the contentious issue of integration of areas inhabited by the Nagas in the northeastern States of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

Asked whether the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs met today, Mukherjee said �it did but could not transact any business� as the item which was supposed to have been discussed was �not placed before it�.

He, however, refused to divulge what the item was.

�I am going to the United States tomorrow as Defence Minister,� Mukherjee quipped when asked about reports about a likely reshuffle in the Union Cabinet soon.

He said it was only the Prime Minister who takes the decision in the matter.

PTI.

ANSAM warns: All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has warned of intensifying its ongoing agitation against declaring June 18 as a State holiday if the State Government does not come to an agreement on the demand of the Association, reports our Chandel correspondent.

Talking to The Sangai Express, vice president of ANSAM, Ngachonmi Chamroy rued that the State Government has not given any positive response to the demand of the student body despite the indefinite economic blockade along all the National Highways passing through the State since the midnight of June 19.