The Nagaland Gaon Burha Federation on Wednesday urged governor P.B. Acharya to take up with the Centre the issue of officially inviting the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), led by Khango Konyak, for peace talks at the earliest.

The federation, led by its president Shahlem Konyak, called on the governor at Raj Bhavan in Kohima and submitted a representation making the appeal.

The Khango-led group on October 25 officially endorsed the federation to act as a mediator with the Centre to resume the ceasefire during a meeting in Yankhao village in Nagaland’s Mon district.

The federation met the Centre’s interlocutor for the talks, R.N. Ravi, in New Delhi on November 1.

Following the mediation by the federation, the Centre and the Khango-led group reportedly agreed to begin the process of negotiations.

The governor lauded the village authorities for their efforts towards creating a peaceful atmosphere in the state and contributing towards nation-building.

Acharya said the village authorities have been playing a vital role in Nagaland’s governance, thus becoming an essential component of the state government.

Stating that the village authorities were the key people behind building their villages, the governor called upon the village authorities to inform people about various welfare schemes and programmes of the state and the central governments.

Acharya also exhorted the federation to continue its work to create a peaceful atmosphere across the state.

He added that the peace process was moving in the right direction and hoped that a settlement would be reached at the earliest.

The governor also expressed appreciation to the Naga Mothers’ Association for their role in promoting peace and harmony in the state.

The federation also appealed to the Centre to promptly respond to the peace offer and resume talks as soon as possible after the Khango faction had accepted the conditions set by the Indian government.

It also urged all Naga political groups to unite and join the peace process for an early solution to the Naga issue.

The Centre, however, said it was committed to solving the Naga issue with one comprehensive solution and therefore ruled out many pacts.