Source: The Sangai Express
Kohima, December 16:
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said the Naga peace talks were progressing in the right direction towards finding a settlement to the prolonged problem and a conducive environment prevailed in the State.
Informing the Assembly members about his meeting with top NSCN (I-M) leaders after their arrival in New Delhi, Rio said, "After meeting them, we had an impression that the peace talks were moving in the right direction towards finding a settlement".
The State Government was not a party to the ongoing negotiations between the Centre and NSCN (I-M) leadership, the Chief Minister said but asserted that his Government had been facilitating the peace process through Cabinet Committee on Peace (CCP), NGOs, Churches and civil society groups.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, assured the House of adopting all measures to rein in anti-socials and restore normalcy after the Opposition members expressed concern over the prevailing law and order situation in the State and sought clarification on his meeting with NSCN (I-M) leaders in New Delhi.
Rio told the House that the Opposition members, who had raised eyebrows over his meeting, also met NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Th Muivah in New Delhi, adding, "Nothing wrong in such meetings, as political leaders all of us have to help and support the peace talks".
However, leader of the Opposition I Imkong said that no Congress delegation had so far met the NSCN (I-M) leadership, but some party leaders, including himself, called on Th Muivah after his arrival in Delhi.
The Congress members alleged during the question hour of the one-day session that there was complete lack of co-ordination between the Govt and police and they failed to arrest the prime suspects involved in the Dr Maongwati assassination bid case as they belonged to a particular underground group.
The CM informed the House that the three suspects involved in the case were arrested by police and they were sent to Chandigarh for further interrogation.