The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has rejected the recent remarks of veteran leader Dr SC Jamir calling for President’s Rule in Nagaland, as well as the concerns raised by the Concerned Naga Forum of Nagaland (CNFN) over the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), terming both statements “factually incorrect, contradictory” and an attempt to derail efforts for an early solution to the Naga political issue.

In a statement issued by its Press Bureau, the NPF said Nagaland has a democratically elected government with a mandate from the people and described the reported demand for President’s Rule as “undemocratic and contrary” to the spirit of federalism and the Constitution.

The party said past instances of President’s Rule in Nagaland had neither brought lasting stability nor advanced the Naga political issue, adding that the demand to dismiss an elected government undermines the democratic rights of the people.

Rejecting Jamir’s reported assertion that governance in the State has “almost collapsed” and is “non-existent”, the NPF said day-to-day administration was functioning, development activities were continuing and the State Government was actively pursuing the Naga political issue with the Centre.

The NPF also dismissed allegations that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was tilting towards a particular underground (UG) group, calling such claims irresponsible in the absence of evidence. It said the party had shifted from the earlier policy of “equi-distance” associated with Jamir’s tenure to an approach of “equi-closeness” towards all sections of Naga society.

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The party said branding fellow Nagas as a “Sabotage Club” or “Status Quo Club” would only create further division at a time when Naga unity was crucial. According to the NPF, the delay in finding a solution was due to complex pending issues between Naga groups and the Government of India and not because of any such group or “club” in Nagaland.

On the PAC, the NPF said its demand was for implementation rather than reopening or undoing the negotiations. It claimed that following the departure of former interlocutor RN Ravi, the talks had been handled at the bureaucratic advisor level, resulting in a loss of confidence among political parties and stakeholders.

The party said a consultative meeting convened by the PAC, involving civil society organisations, tribal bodies, intellectuals and elected representatives, had unanimously called for upgrading the peace process to the political or ministerial level. It stressed that the demand was not for fresh negotiations but for a political mandate to conclude what had already been negotiated, given that the Naga issue was fundamentally political.

Responding to the CNFN’s question over the Chief Minister’s announcement regarding a proposed ministerial-level committee, the NPF said Rio had earlier led a high-level delegation, including members of the PAC sub-committee and both Members of Parliament, to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

The party claimed that Shah had given a positive assurance regarding a ministerial team and that Rio subsequently conveyed the development through the media and in the State Assembly.

On the legitimacy of the PAC, the NPF said it comprised representatives of all political parties having elected members in the State Government, along with the two MPs. It rejected the allegation that the PAC had undermined or made a mockery of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), saying its role was to facilitate an honourable solution to the Naga issue.

The NPF said the people wanted a solution rather than “semantics and blame games” and argued that the peace process required a political mind with a political mandate from the Centre to conclude the talks.

It accused the CNFN of opposing a political-level interlocutor and thereby risking keeping the talks in limbo, while reiterating the NPF’s stand for an early, honourable, inclusive and acceptable solution to the Naga political issue.