Minister sees positive signs from Naga rebels

Bhiwadi, Rajasthan: The dominant Naga separatist group has met senior government functionaries at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and is "inching towards accepting the Indian constitution", according to a senior minister.

"Top leaders of the NSCN-IM [National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah] recently met Home Minister Shivraj Patil and top officials of the PMO," Labour and Employment Minister Oscar Fernandes, a key interlocutor with the rebels, said.

In the last few rounds of talks, Indian government representatives have been trying to convince the NSCN-IM not to press for the unification of all Naga-inhabited areas in the northeast and their demand for sovereignty, considering the complexities and sensitivities.