GoM holds direct peace talks with Naga leaders in Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 2 (UNI) A Group of Ministers (GoM) led by Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, today held a direct talk with NSCN-IM leaders to find a permanent and lasting solution to the decade-old Naga issue.

According to official sources, the meeting was attended by Minister of State for Home Affairs S Regupathy, Minister of State for PMO Prithviraj Chavan, Home Secretary V K Duggal and former Home Secretary turned Interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah.

The Naga delegation at the meet was led by its leaders Th Muivah along with Rh Raising, Tongmeth Wangnao and V Tuccu.

The meeting started at 1030 hrs and lasted for about 90 minutes.

The last talk was held at Amsterdam between October 17 to 19, 2006. This is for the first time that the Naga peace talks was held in India.

Last time, the Naga leaders were in the capital in December, 2006 on a private trip mainly for the renewal of their visas.

The leaders were keen on having a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at that time but as he was busy the meeting could not be held, the sources added.

UNI