The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has reiterated its support for the appointment of a political/ministerial-level interlocutor for the Indo-Naga political talks, while accusing the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) of taking a position contrary to a unanimous resolution adopted at the September 12, 2024 consultative meeting.
In a press rejoinder to the NPCC, the NPF recalled that the September 12, 2024 consultative meeting convened by the Government of Nagaland had unanimously appealed to the Government of India to appoint an interlocutor at the political/ministerial level with the confidence and mandate of the government.
The NPF said it “fully endorses and stands by” the resolution and expressed hope that the appointment of the new interlocutor, along with the reported inclusion of a Union Minister or group of Union Ministers in the negotiation framework, would facilitate meaningful political engagement and expedite a settlement to the Naga political issue.
The party described the development as “significant and encouraging”, claiming that it fulfils the September 12, 2024 resolution adopted with the participation of civil society organisations, churches, student bodies, intellectuals and elected representatives, including the two MPs.
The NPF alleged that the NPCC wasagainst the unanimous resolution adopted on September 12, 2024, of which the NPCC was also a part, adding, “This shows its insincerity towards the protracted Naga political issue.
It accused the NPCC of trying to derail the process by opposing the appointment of the present Interlocutor and attempting to fish in troubled waters to keep the peace process at bay.
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Recalling developments in the Naga peace process, the NPF referred to the ceasefire during the tenure of Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao and subsequently to the signing of the Framework Agreement in 2015 and the Agreed Position in 2017 under NDA governments led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi.
The NPF said an exchange of words between political parties would serve no purpose and called for unity and collective resolve to take the long-pending political process towards a logical conclusion.
It urged all sections, including political parties such as the NPCC, to extend support to the process, saying the present juncture calls for unity and understanding rather than confusion.
The party reiterated its commitment to working for an “early, honourable, inclusive, acceptable and lasting” political settlement for the Nagas.
