New Delhi, Nov 21 : The Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) faction are trying hard to achieve a resolution formula on the Naga issue by December 25, so that the package can be a veritable Christmas 'gift' for the Nagas. "While the negotiation process is in the closing
stages, certain issues continue to stick out. Some are in the NSCN's court, some with the government. If we can resolve everything before Christmas, well and good, if not, we'll have to wait further. But we are trying our best," a person in know of the development said.
Of recent reports hinting of the Centre's intention to grant a 'supra state' status to Nagas, the source said: "These are pure conjectures. Unless all the points are agreed to by both the parties, there can be no final word on a conclusive agreement."
"The thinking behind a credible resolution is that the jurisdictional and administrative authority of no neighbouring state should be affected, yet something that ties together the cultural and traditional homogeneity of the Nagas," he added.
Meanwhile, the 'supra state' issue has agitated Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam who have Naga populations in various degrees prompting Manipur CM Ibobi Singh to air-dash to New Delhi where he met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and home minister P Chidambaram on Saturday.
After Singh's meetings, the Manipur government issued a press statement saying the Union home ministry had conveyed to the Manipur CM that there was no such move was afoot to form a 'supra state' body besides terming the report as "mischievous and baseless".
Since 1997, about 65 rounds of parleys have taken place both in India and abroad to resolve the vexed Naga issue that has led to a decades-long insurgency.