The Big Picture: Naga Talks - Issues & Way Forward

With the next round of peace talks to end the protracted Naga political problem scheduled for October 31, the Nagaland and Manipur governments have taken steps to meet any eventuality and have put their respective police forces on "high alert". Officials said in Kohima the Nagaland government has directed all deputy commissioners of the districts and administrative officers to remain in their place of posting and within their jurisdiction till further orders. In neighbouring Manipur, where Nagas have a sizeable presence, security forces in the state have been put on high alert and a large number of security forces, including women personnel have been deployed at important areas to thwart any "unwanted activities”. The crucial round of talks on October 24 to find a lasting solution to the seven-decade-old Naga insurgency problem has remained inconclusive. Naga tribal organizations, civil societies and political groups have been saying that any agreement on the Naga issue should be "inclusive, honourable and acceptable to all sections of the people". On this edition of The Big Picture we analyse the history of the Naga issue, the problems and way forward.
Guests - Sandeep Phukan, Deputy Editor, The Hindu,
Joyeeta Bhattacharjee, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation,
Gautam Sen, Former Advisor, Government of Nagaland,
Shekhar Iyer, Senior Journalist,
Anchor - Frank Rausan Pereira