Kohima: In a fresh initiative aimed at resolving the long-pending Naga political issue, the Nagaland government’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) has called for the formation of a ‘Naga Common Platform’ to bridge divisions among various civil society organisations.
The PAC meeting was held recently at Rhododendron Hall in Chumoukedima under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Briefing media persons after the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister and PAC Co-Convenor T R Zeliang said the state government was urging tribal hohos (apex tribal bodies) to come together and persuade all Naga political groups to unite under a single platform.
He emphasised that there could not be multiple solutions to the Naga issue. “The solution must be one. There cannot be two or three solutions,” Zeliang said.
He added that the primary objective for the current year was to overcome internal divisions. The presence of multiple NGOs and organisations speaking in different voices, he said, had weakened the collective representation of the Naga people.
Zeliang further pointed out that while elected representatives function under the Constitution of India, a unified civil society platform was essential to ensure a single, cohesive voice in political negotiations.
Although no formal resolution was passed, the committee held extensive discussions on the prevailing political deadlock.
Efforts to resolve the Naga issue have been ongoing for decades. A major breakthrough came on August 3, 2015, when a Framework Agreement was signed between NSCN (IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and the Centre’s interlocutor R N Ravi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agreement followed more than 80 rounds of negotiations over 18 years, beginning with the signing of a ceasefire pact in 1997 after decades of insurgency in Nagaland.
In December 2017, the Centre also signed an Agreed Position with the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), a conglomerate of seven organisations. However, a final settlement has remained elusive, primarily due to the NSCN (IM)’s persistent demand for a separate Naga flag and constitution, which the central government has so far been unwilling to accept.
Besides, a state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and attended by PAC members discussed issues related to the development of Dimapur Railway Station and the expansion of Dimapur Airport.
Speaking on the matter, Rio said, “We decided to take it up with the Ministry and find out possible alternatives. If the Assam Rifles are not willing to vacate the present location, they will have to provide us with a new airport. That is the issue.”
MLA Achumbemo Kikon reiterated the government’s commitment to facilitating the peace process. “We will vigorously pursue our role as active facilitators in resolving the Naga political issue. As elected representatives and members of the Political Affairs Committee, we will continue to work towards this responsibility entrusted to us,” he said.
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The PAC’s call for a united platform is seen as a renewed attempt by the state government to push forward the peace process and achieve an early and lasting political solution to the Naga issue.
