Nagaland Government Urges Centre to Elevate Naga Peace Talks to Highest Political Level
In a strong move to speed up the Naga peace process, Nagaland’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) has asked the Central government to appoint a top-level political leader or minister as the main interlocutor for peace talks. The aim is to give the negotiations more political weight and ensure they move forward more swiftly.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who leads the PAC, emphasized the importance of bringing the peace talks to a higher political level. He said that resuming negotiations at this level could help resolve long-standing issues more effectively.
The key meeting took place on Monday in Kohima and was attended by senior leaders, including Deputy Chiefs T.R. Zeliang and Yanthungo Patton, ministers, members of Parliament, advisors, and other MLAs. During the meeting, they discussed the ongoing peace process and agreed to push for greater unity among Naga society.
The PAC also reaffirmed its commitment to the resolutions made during a big consultative meeting held in September 2024, which involved tribal groups, civil society organizations, churches, NGOs, student bodies, and political parties. Everyone has been working together to support peaceful dialogue.
Officials praised the Indian government and Naga political groups like the NSCN-IM for maintaining the ceasefire and continuing negotiations despite past challenges. They urged all Naga factions and society to stay united and work together for peace.
The committee called on different Naga groups to avoid factionalism, breakaway groups, or forming new organizations that could hinder the peace process. They stressed the importance of unity among Naga people to move forward.
Several prominent figures have been involved in Naga peace talks over the years. A.K. Mishra, Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs, has held talks with various Naga factions, including the NSCN-IM, which seeks a separate Naga flag and constitution, and the integration of Naga-inhabited areas across northeast states and even parts of Myanmar. However, these demands have been consistently rejected by the government.
Previously, R.N. Ravi served as the main interlocutor in these peace negotiations before becoming the Governor of Tamil Nadu in 2021. The Indian government has been negotiating with Naga groups since the 1997 ceasefire. The landmark Framework Agreement signed in 2015 marked a significant step toward peace.
The discussions also include the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), an alliance of seven factions. They signed an agreement in 2017, but some Naga factions still hold firm on demands like a separate flag and constitution, which the government has refused to accept.
As the peace process continues, the Nagaland authorities hope that political-level negotiations will lead to a lasting solution, bringing peace and unity to the Naga people.
Keywords: Nagaland peace talks, Naga peace process, Centre’s role in Naga peace, Naga factions, NSCN-IM, Naga political groups, peace negotiations India, Naga society unity, Nagaland government, Naga peace agreement
