On August 16, Nationalist Social Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) stated that Intelligence Bureau (IB) has been mandated by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi to resume ongoing peace talks, reports The Indian Express. While blaming Nagaland Governor and Government of India (GoI) interlocutor RN Ravi for creating an “imbroglio” in the peace process, NSCN-IM in its statement, clarified that the inclusion of IB in peace talks would fast track the pending negotiation, rather than downgrading the peace process. This statement comes amid altercations between the NSCN-IM and Ravi over several months.
Earlier, on August 14, NSCN-IM ‘chief’ Th Muivah had stated that ‘the Nagas will “co-exist with India” but will not merge with India’, reports The Indian Express. On the occasion of 74th ‘Independence Day’ of the ‘People’s Republic of Nagalim’, Muivah stated that the demand for separate Naga flag and constitution were non-negotiable along with the unification of all Naga-inhabited areas, across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur under the purview of Greater Nagalim.
Meanwhile, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has submitted a memorandum to the PM urging for early settlement of the political aspiration of the Kukis, reports E Pao on August 14. In its memorandum, KIM stated that the genocidal act of Th Muivah led NSCN-IM need to be addressed prior to the final inking of peace accord between GoI and NSCN-IM. KIM also stated that in order to rule out adverse repercussion, the accord should not infringe upon the Kuki inhabited lands: Chandel, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Phezawl and Churachandpur Districts of Manipur.