Intel officials meet NSCN-IM leaders

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 11

In a bid to prepare ground for formal negotiations with Nagaland Governor and the Centre’s interlocutor RN Ravi, senior officials of intelligence agencies have held an informal interaction with a nine-member negotiating team of the NSCN-IM, led by Thuingaleng Muivah.

Without divulging the contours of the talks, an intelligence official said the discussions between the two sides took place in a very cordial environment. But it is learnt from other sources that exchange of views took place around the number of armed Naga rebels and the list of weapons to be surrendered.

Sources in the security establishment said the Nagaland Governor had arrived here and he would stay in the national capital for at least a week and before sitting across the table with the NSCN-IM leadership, he is expected to have meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and could also meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah once he is discharged from hospital. Formal talks are likely to begin after August 15, they added.