DIMAPUR: Global Naga Forum (GNF) has welcomed the Centre’s appointment of Ajit Lal, IPS (Retd), former chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, as interlocutor for the “Indo-Naga” political talks, along with the decision to include a Union minister or group of Union ministers in the negotiation framework. GNF through its media cell said the move could inject renewed urgency into the peace process and create conditions for an “honourable, inclusive and enduring” political settlement.
The forum recalled the September 12, 2024 consultative meeting convened by the state government, where about 45 civil society organisations, tribal hohos and other groups collectively appealed to the Centre to appoint a new interlocutor and elevate the political dialogue to the highest level. GNF acknowledged the efforts of chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, MPs Phangnon Konyak and Supongmeren Jamir, as well as tribal hohos, civil society and mass-based organisations, churches, NGOs, student bodies, political parties and other stakeholders in pursuing the resolution. It described the appointment of Lal and the inclusion of Union ministers in the talks as a significant development and urged the NSCN/GPRN leadership and the Centre to approach the negotiations with “utmost seriousness, sincerity and urgency”.
Saturday, October 3, 2026