Urgent need to resolve Naga political issue, says Nagaland CM

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio emphasizes urgency in resolving Naga political issue amid ceasefire with extremist groups.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, on Sunday (December 1, 2024), underscored the urgency to resolve the protracted “Naga political issue” that involves almost three decades of ceasefire with extremist groups.

Speaking at the 62nd Statehood day celebration in the State’s capital Kohima, he also underscored the government’s commitment to go beyond special measures to ensure the development of the eastern part of the Nagaland comprising six districts.

The Chief Minister said that the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government continues to accord topmost priority to the peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue while pursuing the path of development and progress.

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“I met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 21 to discuss the pressing concerns and reiterate the urgency of resolving the Naga political process,” he said. The concerns include internal divisions among the Naga extremist groups and a recent statement by the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, also known as NSCN (Isak-Muivah) or NSCN (I-M).

The Naga political issue refers to the peace process between the Centre and two rival extremist organisations – the NSCN (I-M) and the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), a conglomerate of at least seven groups.

Expressing concern over the challenges posed by the divisions within the NNPGs, Mr. Rio advised everyone to renew and strengthen the bonds of unity and brotherhood. His statement on the peace process assumes significance following the NSCN (I-M)’s threat in November to resume its “armed resistance” to end 27 years of truce after accusing the Centre of betraying the “letter and spirit” of the framework agreement signed in August 2015.