Nagaland PAC urges Centre to raise Naga peace talks to top political level

Guwahati: The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Nagaland Government has urged the Centre to elevate the Naga peace talks to the highest political level by appointing an interlocutor of political or ministerial rank with the confidence and mandate of the government.

A spokesman of the Nagaland government said that the PAC headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio resolved that the peace talks be resumed at the political level in order to expedite the negotiation process.

The crucial meeting of the PAC was held on Monday under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister.


He said that the PAC also reiterated the resolutions adopted during the Consultative Meeting held on September 12, 2024, in Kohima, with the participation of all stakeholders, including Tribal Hohos, representatives of civil societies, mass-based organisations, church bodies, NGOs, gazetted officers, unions, student bodies, and political parties.

The PAC appreciated the negotiating parties, including the government of India and the Naga Political Groups, of the ongoing Naga Political dialogue for continuing to uphold the principles of the ceasefire agreements and ensuring that there is no breakdown of the talks despite facing several challenges and hurdles in the past two decades.

The high-power committee also appealed to all sections of Naga society to make further efforts towards strengthening unity and oneness to bring all stakeholders of the peace process under a spirit of understanding.

A.K. Mishra, Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Northeast affairs so far held a series of talks with various Naga groups including the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM). Former Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi was the interlocutor in Naga peace talks before he took charge as Tamil Nadu Governor in September 2021.

Centre and NSCN-IM are holding peace parleys. There is a stalemate between the government of India and NSCN-IM over the contentious issue of separate flag and constitution. NSCN-IM has been demanding a separate flag and Constitution which the government of India had rejected.