Former deputy NSA takes oath as Nagaland governor

KOHIMA: Former deputy National Security Advisor RN Ravi, who is also the Centre's interlocutor for the ongoing peace talks with various Naga insurgent groups, on Thursday took charge as the governor of Nagaland.
Acting chief justice of Gauhati high court, Arup Kumar Goswami, administered the oath of office to Ravi at a brief ceremony attended by chief minister Nephiu Rio and his cabinet ministers, assembly speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu, leader of opposition TR Zeliang and a host of legislators at the Raj Bhavan here.
Senior government officials including senior Army, Air Force and Central Armed Police Force officers also attended the function. The swearing-in ceremony was followed by a state guard of honour presented by Nagaland Police.
Rio said he was looking forward to working with Ravi.
Ravi, who had worked closely with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during the latter's stint in the Intelligence Bureau, was appointed as Nagaland governor on July 20 by President Ram Nath Kovind. He replaced outgoing governor PB Acharya, whose tenure ended on July 19.
A 1976-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Kerala cadre, Ravi will continue to be the interlocutor for peace talks. "Besides holding the post of governor of Nagaland, he (Ravi) will continue to be government's interlocutor for the ongoing talks with various Naga insurgent groups for a final settlement," a home ministry official said.
Opposition Naga People's Front leader Zeliang promised the party's cooperation vis-a-vis the Naga peace process.
Ravi's achievements during his first two years as the Centre's interlocutor include the signing of the Framework Agreement between the Indian government and the NSCN-IM in August, 2015.