Date:18/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/18/stories/2008021859221300.htm

National

“Naga peace process has slowed down”

Kohima: Admitting that the Naga peace process has slowed down, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan said the parleys could move forward only if the NSCN(I-M) agreed to a solution within the Constitution’s broad parameters.

Mr. Narayanan, who paid a two-day visit to Nagaland to review the security scenario ahead of the March 5 Assembly election, said the Centre was ready to give broad concessions to the Nagas once this pre-requisite was met. “We can work out a new arrangement for the Naga people with maximum autonomy and freedom but this must be under the Indian union,” Mr. Narayanan told the local English daily Morung Express.

He said the foremost question that had to be addressed was whether the basis of the current talks was within the parameters of the Constitution. The NSCN(I-M) was yet to give a clear reply to this question. The Constitution was flexible enough to accommodate broad concessions and this point had already been conveyed to the NSCN(I-M), Mr. Narayanan said. — PTI