Violence, however, has continued unabated. Earlier this year, Nagaland Home Minister Thenucho told the state Assembly that 378 factional clashes between March 2003 and 2007 had claimed 270 lives, including 35 civilians. This year alone, 40 I-M and 23 K cadres have been reportedly killed, while 14 civilians have lost their lives in internecine clashes till date. The number could be more for NSCN(K), with around 100 cadres of both the K faction and the ULFA reportedly killed in February, during strikes by the Myanmar Army on militant camps in the Sagaing region bordering Nagaland.

Now, with mid-term elections looking more possible, apprehensions are being raised that the peace process would be stalled till a new government takes over at the Centre. In that case, Wednesday’s meeting could well be the last for some time to come.