Naga issue not likely to be resolved any time soon: RN Ravi
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 06 2015 : Government of India's interlocutor for Naga peace talks RN Ravi on Monday refuted claims that Government of India and NSCN (IM) would arrive at a final settlement within this year.

A core group of Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) headed by interlocutor for Naga talks and Intelligence Bureau's Special Director RN Ravi arrived here on Monday on a two-day visit to the State to review security situation and effective policing along the Indo-Myanmar border.

Joint Secretary (North East), Ministry of Home Affairs, Shambu Singh and Joint Secretary, Border Management, HK Makwana accompanied RN Ravi during the visit.

Government of India's interlocutor for Naga peace talks RN Ravi

The Central team was supposed to visit Behiang in Churachandpur district by a helicopter but inclement weather condition compelled them to cancel the trip, sources informed.

The team, however, met top officials of the State Home Department, Army and Paramilitary force at the Old Secretariat Conference Hall.

Principal Secretary (Home), DGP of Manipur Police and other top police officials attended the meeting.

The RN Ravi-led team is understood to have discussed about the escalating attacks on security forces along the Indo-Myanmar border areas of Manipur in recent times during the meeting.

It was reported that the issue of illicit drugs and weapons trafficking along the international border also came up for discussion during the meeting.

RN Ravi said the Centre was exerting pressures to prevent NSCN (IM) from indulging in rampant collection of illegal taxes from vehicles along National Highways and other sources like development programmes.

Shambu Singh said that the increasing cases of bomb explosions and ambush on Assam Rifles personnel in remote areas of Manipur were due to lack of coordination between the State Police and the paramilitary force.

He said the teams' visit was aimed at finding out hindrances faced by security forces on the ground while conducting counter insurgency operations in border areas.

"We've now understood what are the actual difficulties faced by the security forces in the border area.

We're prepared to flush out militants operating along the border," Shambu informed.

The MHA team is likely to visit Jessami and Nambashi in Ukhrul District on Tuesday.