Centre working on a three-stage plan on peace process in NE

Sources said the government is happy with the progress of the talks with both NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) groups.

"We have made considerable progress in talks with the Naga groups and we are trying very hard to take the talks forward," they said.

Pointing out that the Centre had recently renewed the ceasefire with NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K), the sources said the government has drawn up three stages to solve the insurgency problem in not only Nagaland but encompassing all insurgent groups in the Northeastern states.

The stages are: (1) entering into ceasefire (2) political negotiations and (3) economic development in the states, they said.

Replying to a question about NSCN (K) signing a ceasefire with Myanmar government on May 9 in Chiang Mai (Thailand) close to Myanmar border, the sources said India did not see this as a process contradictory to India's own efforts to secure peace with the same insurgent groups.

"We will be happy if the groups and Myanmar government come to an understanding to bring peace in their own territory," according to the sources.