Nagaland Strives for Resolution: A Step Forward for Naga Political Issue

The state government of Nagaland prioritizes resolving the long-standing Naga political issue. Consultative meetings with tribal bodies and civil organizations are planned. Despite a ceasefire since 1997 and agreements in 2015 and 2017, the demand for a separate Naga flag and constitution remains unresolved.

Resolution of the long-standing Naga political issue is the top priority of the state government, and public consultative meetings will be held soon to deliberate on the way forward for an early solution, an official said on Friday.

The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of Nagaland, comprising state legislators and parliamentarians, discussed the issue on August 28 and decided to hold consultative meetings with apex tribal bodies and civil society organizations.

The PAC is headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

"Resolution of the Naga issue is the top agenda of the state government for which meetings would be held very soon with all the stakeholders," government spokesperson K G Kenye told reporters here.

The Government of India and Naga political groups entered into a ceasefire in 1997 and held separate talks with different groups for a solution to the decades-long political problem.

After almost 70 rounds of talks, the Centre signed a Framework Agreement with NSCN-IM in 2015, and the Agreed Position with the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC NNPGs) in 2017.

In October 2019, the then Centre's Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks and Governor of Nagaland, R N Ravi, declared that talks had concluded.

The Centre has yet to accept the NSCN-IM's persistent demand for a separate flag and constitution of the Nagas.

(With inputs from agencies.)