Naga Peace Talks: Political Maneuvering or Genuine Delay?

The Naga National Political Group (NNPG) alleges that the call for a new interlocutor at a government meeting is a strategic ploy to delay resolving the longstanding Naga political issue. Despite concluded talks, the central government and Naga factions remain at odds over demands for a separate flag and constitution.

In a recent turn of events, the Naga National Political Group (NNPG) has alleged that the call for a new interlocutor at a consultative meeting is an attempt to delay the resolution of the long-standing Naga political issue. The meeting, convened by the state government, ended on September 12 with a pre-drafted resolution.

The NNPG, which comprises seven Naga groups, stated that the demand for a new interlocutor is a premeditated effort to derail the political process and push back the negotiations to square one. The NNPG had entered into negotiations with the central government in 2017, culminating in a Framework Agreement signed in November that year.

Despite formal talks concluding on October 31, 2019, the NNPG emphasized that the central government has not yet met the NSCN-IM's demands for a separate flag and constitution. Former Interlocutor R N Ravi had declared the talks concluded, but doubts now emerge as political maneuvering appears to delay an already complex issue.

(With inputs from agencies.)