The explosiveness of that issue was visible during the period of his tenure in 2001 after Padmanabhiah signed an extension of the ceasefire in Bangkok with the NSCN (I-M) group which said that the peace would be without boundaries, a term that led to riots in Manipur and the eventual rollback of the clause by then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Pillai has long experience of the northeast having held the post of joint secretary in charge of that division in the ministry from 1996-2001. Unlike most New Delhi-based officials, he extensively travelled there, met ordinary people and interacted with local officials.

He is seen as the 'humane' face of the home ministry although he is known to be extremely firm on issues of governance, corruption and inefficiency. During his term as commerce secretary, Pillai tried to develop programmes and policies in relation to the region which were in tune with its needs.

Top officials at the home ministry said that a major part of the new strategy would be an inclusive approach, seeking to reach out to all sides in interactions and discussions, involving civil society groups as well.

They said the central government would also focus on strong implementation of ceasefire rules and legal procedures as well as show no tolerance for extortion and other such activities.

Muivah, the principal negotiator for the NSCN (I-M), is now located in a large camp outside Dimapur, the gateway to Nagaland from the Assam plains. Swu is reportedly keeping indifferent health and is living in Bangkok.

It is widely known that the two major militant Naga groups, the I-M and its rival, the Khaplang faction, have had almost a free run in Nagaland and the Manipur hills for decades despite the ceasefire and 'designated camps' where they are supposed to live.

These groups levy 'taxes' on individuals, government officials, politicians and even school teachers; the public and New Delhi call this extortion.

(Sanjoy Hazarika, a specialist on the northeast, is author, filmmaker and independent columnist. He can be contacted at sanjoyha@gmail.com)