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Key Points

The Nagaland government is pushing for higher-level political engagement in the long-standing peace negotiations. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's committee wants a ministerial-rank interlocutor appointed to accelerate the process. They're calling for unity among all Naga factions and stakeholders to move forward together. This comes after decades of talks that began with the 1997 ceasefire agreement.

Key Points: Nagaland Govt Urges Centre for Ministerial Interlocutor in Naga Peace Talks

  • Nagaland PAC seeks ministerial-rank interlocutor with government mandate
  • Committee appreciates parties for upholding ceasefire agreements
  • Appeals to Naga groups to refrain from factionalism and breakaway groups
  • Reiterates resolutions from September 2024 consultative meeting with all stakeholders
3 min read

Nagaland govt urges Centre to appoint political or ministerial-level interlocutor for Naga peace talks

Nagaland's Political Affairs Committee calls for political-level interlocutor to expedite Naga peace negotiations, seeking to resolve decades-long conflict through renewed unity efforts.

"The PAC resolved that the peace talks be resumed at the political level in order to expedite the negotiation process - Nagaland Government Spokesman"

Kohima, Aug 3

The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Nagaland Government has urged the Centre to elevate the Naga peace talks to the highest political level by appointing an interlocutor of political or ministerial rank with the confidence and mandate of the government, officials said on Wednesday.

A spokesman of the Nagaland government said that the PAC headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio resolved that the peace talks be resumed at the political level in order to expedite the negotiation process.

The crucial meeting of the PAC was held on Monday under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief Ministers T.R Zeliang and Yanthungo Patton, other Ministers, Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, advisors to the Chief Minister and other ministers, and MLAs.

He said that the PAC also reiterated the resolutions adopted during the Consultative Meeting held on September 12, 2024, in Kohima, with the participation of all stakeholders, including Tribal Hohos, representatives of civil societies, mass-based organisations, church bodies, NGOs, gazetted officers, unions, student bodies, and political parties.

The PAC appreciated the negotiating parties, including the government of India and the Naga Political Groups, of the ongoing Naga Political dialogue for continuing to uphold the principles of the ceasefire agreements and ensuring that there is no breakdown of the talks despite facing several challenges and hurdles in the past two decades, the spokesman said.

The high power committee also appealed to all sections of Naga society to make further efforts towards strengthening unity and oneness in order to bring all stakeholders of the peace process under a spirit of understanding.

The PAC meeting agreed that all participants of the meeting would make renewed efforts for unity of Naga society.

It also resolved to appeal to all Naga political groups and national workers to refrain from any further factionalism, the formation of breakaway groups, or the creation of new organisations, the spokesman added.

A.K. Mishra, Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Northeast affairs so far held a series of talks with various Naga groups including the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM).

Former Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi was the interlocutor in Naga peace talks before he took charge as Tamil Nadu Governor in September 2021.

The Union government has been holding political negotiations with the NSCN-IM and other Naga groups since the signing of the ceasefire agreement in 1997, and also inked the vital Framework Agreement in 2015.

The government also entered into parallel negotiations with the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), an amalgamation of at least seven Naga factions, in 2017.

They signed the Agreed Position in November 2017 and the NSCN-IM has remained firm on its demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas as well as integration of Naga-inhabited areas spread over four northeastern states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, besides Myanmar.

These demands were discarded by the government on a number of occasions.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As someone from the Northeast, I appreciate that all stakeholders including tribal bodies and civil societies are being consulted. Lasting peace requires everyone's voice to be heard, not just political groups.
M
Michael C
The Framework Agreement was signed in 2015 and we're still talking? This needs urgent resolution. A ministerial-level interlocutor might bring the seriousness this process deserves.
A
Ananya R
While I support peace talks, the demand for separate flag and constitution seems unrealistic. Nagaland is an integral part of India, and any solution must respect our constitutional framework.
V
Vikram M
The integration of Naga-inhabited areas across state borders is a sensitive issue. Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh would never agree to this. The talks should focus on practical solutions within existing boundaries.
S
Sarah B
It's encouraging to see the appeal against factionalism. Too many breakaway groups have complicated the peace process. Unity among Naga groups is essential for meaningful negotiations.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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