Naga leaders, Centre to resume talks on Feb 8

Talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Centre will resume on Tuesday, Naga sources told Express on Friday, and the venue of talks will be decided mutually.

Both delegations met briefly today at an undisclosed location. ‘‘There were no discussions on substantive issues’’, a senior Home Ministry official said. Issach Chissi Swu, chairman of the NSCN (IM), was not present in the delegation today. Swu was also absent from the initial meeting between the Naga delegation and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. Naga sources however played down Swu’s absence saying he would participate when substantive issues come up.

During the two hour meeting, both sides tried to acquaint themselves with each other. ‘‘It is necessary that we get to know each other, ’’ said members of the Naga delegation.

‘‘There is no time-frame for the talks, and there is every possibility that the talks would be spread over a couple of weeks. It depends on the progress that is made during the initial days of the talks,’’ said a Home Ministry official.