Forrmer IB chief RN Ravi to take over as interlocutor for NSCN(IM)
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal
Imphal, August 09, 2014:
After a lull in the ongoing talks with North East militant groups with the Government of India, the Centre has decided to appoint RN Ravi as successor to Ajit Lal, whose term expired as chairman of Joint Intelligence Committee and additional charge of NSCN(IM) interlocutor on July 31. Ravi a retired 1976 batch Kerala cadre IPS officer, is former special director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
According to media reports (HT) the Modi government wants Ravi to initiate a time-bound dialogue with NSCN (I-M) without allowing them to increase its cadre and arsenal strength.
Moreover, the job of in Interlocutor of peace talks is not a full-time but an additional charges as Chief of JIC, the media reports said quoting South Block.
Besides other drawbacks, the NSCN(IM) talks has also taken a setback after a series of changes in the interlocutor.
After over ten years of facilitating the talks, K Padmanabaiah retired and RS Pandey was appointed who again resigned to join active politics last December.
After a few months of filling the gap, Ajit Lal's term expired as Chief of JIC last month and subsequently as interlocutor.
Meanwhile no other interlocutor has been appointed so far with the NSCN(K) or NSCN/GPRN .
Reportedly the UPF (United People's front ) and KNO groups who were under Suspension of Operation are in the capital with the truce coming to an end on August 22. Given the ongoing Parliament session no major development is likely to come in the next few weeks, while both the Government and the Outfits maintained a studied silence.
Meanwhile sources say that the Peace Talks and negotiations between ULFA ( Arabinda Rajkhowa led group) and GoI has reached an advanced stage.