The Centre is considering a political package aimed at finding an “acceptable and honourable settlement” to the decades-old political conflict in Nagaland, with Union Home Secretary G K Pillai hinting at declaration of the same towards the end of the year.

Pillai in is Kohima with an aim to impress upon Naga groups to forge a common front so that New Delhi could address their concerns jointly rather than resolving issues separately with each faction. This is a departure from the past where the Centre was only focusing on NSCN (I-M) by appointing a special interlocutor and giving short shrift to other groups for sorting out the Naga problem.

In this context, New Delhi has decided to stop mollycoddling NSCN (I-M) and has no time for its greater Nagalim demand by disturbing the territorial integrity of neighbouring states or talks outside the framework of Indian Constitution. In fact, New Delhi wants the insurgent group to wind up its camps in hill districts of Manipur and move out of the Tirap-Changlang sector of Arunachal Pradesh. The I-M’s camps in this sensitive sector of Arunachal Pradesh have security ramifications in the region.

Pillai held a series of meetings, attended a review meeting with the State Level Strategy Group, besides meeting Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his Cabinet colleagues. He also met representatives of Naga Hoho, Eastern Naga People’s Organisation, Nagaland Christian Forum, Nagaland Baptist Christian Council and Naga Mothers’ Association.

With ENS Guwahati