Government of India’s representative for Naga Political Talks, A.K. Mishra, held meetings with various Naga Political Groups (NPGs) on Wednesday at the Officers’ Mess Hall, Police Complex, Chümoukedima.
Mishra, who arrived on June 10, met with representatives of the NSCN (I-M), Neokpao-led Working Committee of the NNPGs (WC-NNPGs) and Kitovi-led Working Committee of the NNPGs (WC-NNPGs) besides NSCN/GPRN (Niki group).
Earlier on Tuesday, AK Mishra held a closed-door meeting with an eight-member delegation of the NSCN (I-M), led by deputy ato kilonser VS Atem.
Execution plan for solution underway, says Isak: After the meeting Wednesday, NSCN/GPRN (K) ato kilonser ‘col.’ (Retd) Isak Sumi told media persons that coordinated efforts were currently underway to formulate the final plan for a comprehensive and inclusive solution to the Naga issue.
Isak acknowledged the growing frustration and uncertainty among the Naga people as they have been kept in suspense over the political process. He admitted that the prolonged delay has led to disappointment and disillusionment across Naga society.
On the continual divisions among Naga groups, Isak admitted that the journey presently has been hindered by blame games, group-centric agendas, and internal criticism. “For too long, we Nagas have been engaged in mudslinging– justifying our own positions while imposing the interests of particular groups over the larger Naga interest,” he lamented.
He said Nagas have every right to question the credibility of both the Naga Political Groups and their leaders. He said “We cannot justify, and we cannot shy away from that.” Isak expressed sincere apology to the Naga public for the wrongs committed over the years. “We cannot justify on any front for all the error that has been committed,” he added.
He reiterated that the Naga issue was “a very complicated story” spanning seven to eight decades.
Though there was no acceptable excuse for delaying the solution, he said there might be some genuine reasons contributing to the holdup.
Isak dwelt on the immense challenge of formulating a comprehensive and all-encompassing Naga solution by taking into account the geographically dispersed Naga-inhabited areas across four to five states, presence of multiple groups, Naga interests, concerns of the affected states, and the position of the Government of India. He said this complexity, has been a key factor behind the time-consuming nature of the process and the resulting delay.
However, despite these complexities, Isak stressed that progress was being made through “meticulous, in-depth interaction” among NPGs, civil society organisations (CSOs), tribal leaders, and stakeholders in collaboration with the Centre.
He said NPGs were putting all-out genuine efforts to work out a final execution plan and that only after that will a comprehensive solution move forward.
Isak underlined a shift in the peace process– toward creating a “common platform” where all stakeholders can participate without feeling alienated but not necessarily under single leadership or organisation, but about developing consensus and move forward collectively.
He credited CSOs, tribal leaders, Forum for Naga Reconciliation, and the positive involvement of the Centre for fostering an atmosphere of trust-building.
Responding to questions regarding the confusion surrounding the “Agreed Position” and the NNPGs-and whether these matters were discussed with AK Mishra, Isak said that the focus for the NNPG has now moved beyond debating individual agreements.
He also said the discourse has shifted away from the Agreed Position or the Framework Agreement, and was instead centered on formulating a final execution plan that was inclusive of all Naga Political Groups (NPGs), stakeholders, and taking into consideration the aspiration of the Nagas in general.
He also maintained that both the Framework Agreement or Agreed Position were no longer the issue. According to Isak, the real concern now was “working out the execution plan.”
When asked about the contradiction between public calls for unity and continued disunity among groups, Isak admitted that it was a legitimate concern. “This is where Nagas can question us. Mere rhetoric does not serve any purpose unless we put that into action and genuinely work towards it,” he said.
He pointed to the Council of Naga Relationships and Cooperation (CNRC), spearheaded by FNR, as one such effort to bridge divisions through dialogue and reconciliation.
“Let us be hopeful. Unity will become visible when the Centre calls for the final solution,” Isak remarked.
Not about ownership, says NSCN (R): Meanwhile, NSCN/GPRN (R) ato kilonser, Tikhak Naga, clarified that the group’s presence in the meeting was not to claim ownership over the “Agreed Position” but that they had come as Naga leaders to talk about Naga political and solution.
Reiterating this sentiment, NSCN/GPRN (R) president R. Wangtin Naga said both the Agreed Position and the Framework Agreement serve the same purpose.
Wangtin said both the agreements were signed but it is only for one moment. “So, time will not be far for all of us to combine these two agreements and formulate only one thing for one solution,” he added.
Wangtin further clarified that the Agreed Position does not belong to any individual leader but to the Naga people. “NNPG is one. The agreement belongs to the people, not to Neokpao Konyak or N Kitovi Zhimomi,” he emphasized.
C. Singson, Member Collective Leadership (MCL), NSCN/GPRN (Unification), acknowledged the division within the NNPG which was a “manmade creation” resulting from misunderstanding the idea of Naga oneness.
“This division is our own creation. We must show the world that we are one people,” he said, calling for internal unity and mutual respect.
He urged that internal matters concerning the NNPG should be left to the NNPG themselves, asserting that such issues would not hinder the larger political solution being pursued.
He further pointed out that the Government of India was less concerned with divisions within the NPGs and more focused on whether all groups are being taken seriously in the negotiation process.
He said the Centre aims to work with all NPGs so as to arrive at a “good and acceptable solution.” He therefore, called for introspection among Naga leaders and national workers and realize the need to awaken, forgive one another, and unite.
He said solution was delayed due to internal differences and not due to the Centre.
Singson said time has come for all to accept one another, to forgive and unite and only then Nagas would have the moral authority to question Government of India’s stand.
Reflecting on the meeting with Mishra, Singson termed it “very fruitful” and said the ball was now in the court of the Nagas. He asserted that the Naga issue belongs to the Naga people and should never be treated as personal issue.
Kitovi-led WC, NNPGs meet Mishra: The Kitovi-led WC, NNPGs also held a separate meeting with A.K. Mishra on Wednesday, attended by leaders of four NPGs recently merged under this faction.
Speaking to media persons, WC, NNPGs secretary and supervisor Ceasefire Supervisory Board GPRN/NSCN (Khehoi) designated camp, G. Naga, termed the meeting “fruitful” and said the objective remains an early, honourable, and inclusive solution.
When asked about the Government of India’s stance on the split within the WC, NNPGs, G Naga described the division as a issue among “family members.”
He stated that WC believes all parties remain aligned on the core objective of reaching a mutually acceptable solution, and therefore, any internal differences should not pose a problem in the long run.
Extending an open invitation, he said the NNPG was willing to sit together for dialogue and resolve the issue.
Echoing similar sentiments, NSCN/GPRN-R (Akato) president, Akato Chophi, noted that though there may be differences in a meeting, issues get resolved.