Nagaland Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Meets With Himanta Biswa Sarma To Discuss Naga Political Issues

Mr Sarma, the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convener, arrived in Dimapur on Thursday evening and proceeded to the Niathu Resort in Chumoukedima, where the meeting was held in the late hours, they added.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Rajya Sabha MP Phangnon Konyak, and 16 MLAs who are members of the committee, including UDA chairman TR Zeliang, attended the closed-door meeting, they said.

Mr Sarma was escorted to the meeting by Assam minister Pijush Hazarika.

According to the sources, the conference lasted until late at night.

This was the second time that Mr Sarma visited Nagaland to discuss the Naga Political Issue. He last visited the state in September last year and held an interaction with the NSCN(IM) in the presence of Nagaland Chief Minister Rio.

The Core Committee has sought the support of Mr Sarma as the convener of NEDA to help achieve a solution to the issue by speaking with the Centre.

Mr Sarma had remarked on Wednesday that it is a complicated issue that should be resolved by the Centre and the NSCN(IM).

Since 1997, the Centre has held separate discussions with the NSCN(IM) and the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs). On August 3, 2015, it inked a framework agreement with NSCN(IM), and on November 17, 2017, it signed an Agreed Position with NNPG.

The NSCN(IM) has remained steadfast in its demand for a distinct flag and constitution for the Nagas, hence no final solution has been reached.