Indo-IM peace talks:: Search for new interlocutor on
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal/New Delhi, December 27 2013 :
Search for an interlocutor of the Centre for negotiations with the NSCN (IM) has begun with four names proposed by the Centre from him Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde would be choosing one as replacement for RS Pandey who recently quit the post in favour of joining BJP to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
According to a report published in the Kolkata edition of The Telegraph, the four names were proposed by the Centre yesterday.
Topping the contenders' list is Ajit Lal, who is currently the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee and a former Special Director of Intelligence Bureau.
Lal has a long experience, almost since the beginning of the ceasefire with the NSCN (I-M) in 1998, of dealing with the issue.
He is considered acceptable to the rebel group although there are no comments yet from the NSCN leaders.
The second in the line is R.N.Ravi, a hard-nosed former Special Director of Intelligence Bureau who has over two decades of experience in dealing with the Northeast.
After retirement from service last year, Ravi has written some candid pieces on India's policy for the Northeast and is a strong supporter of revoking the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from the region.
The Home Ministry has also proposed the name of former Assam DGP G.M.Srivastava, who, besides being a proven sleuth in Assam, is considered a good negotiator.
Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami will also consider another potential candidate, Lt Gen.
(retd) R.N.Kapur, a decorated officer of the 1966 batch who has served for a long time in the Northeast.
Pandey resigned after joining the BJP on December 12 to contest the Valmikinagar Lok Sabha seat in Bihar.
Not willing to give an impression that it is not serious about resolving the over six-decade-long problem of the Nagas and their lands, the Government of India wants to appoint an interlocutor and go ahead with negotiations.
Sources said the talks are at a crucial juncture and with some political will and a proactive negotiator, both sides could find a meeting point.