With differing stands emerging among various civil society organisations (CSOs) over the proposed November 18 public rally at Agri Expo, the Organising Committee of the Naga Common Platform (NCP) on Monday clarified that the initiative was not a rival campaign to any existing peace effort, but a people’s platform endorsed by CSOs to press for a conclusive and honourable end to the Naga political issue.
Addressing the media, NCP convenor Shikuto Zalipu said the decision to organise the rally was rooted in a collective resolution adopted during a consultative meeting held on March 20, 2025, at Tourist Lodge, where multiple civil society bodies—including the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR)—endorsed the Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) to take forward “the further necessary initiatives” along with concerned civil bodies and Naga leaders.
He emphasised that the mandate came from civil society and that the GBs were not positioning themselves as leaders but merely providing the platform on behalf of the public.
Zalipu said the primary aim of the rally was to urge the Government of India (GoI) and the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) to expedite the political solution and reconcile the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position into a single common settlement acceptable to the people.
He said some organisations had misinterpreted the purpose of the rally, insisting that the platform had no intent of undermining any other peace initiative. Responding to objections from certain tribal hohos, he remarked that those wanting the talks to continue indefinitely would not attend, while those desiring a genuine and definitive solution would embrace the platform. Questioning the prolonged silence surrounding the agreements, he asked whether they were signed “to be framed and kept hidden in a darkroom or to be implemented.”
Advisor of the NGBF Peace Committee, Vikuto Zhimomi, highlighted the Federation’s earlier role in ending inter-factional violence.
He said during the years when bloodshed was rampant, neither the government nor CSOs could stop the killings, and it was only after the GBs were requested to step in that the factions were persuaded to cease hostilities. He recalled a significant meeting at the Red Cross Society, Kohima, where 30 kilonsers from four NPGs committed to halt violence.
He said the GB Federation resumed its peace efforts only because CSOs urged them to do so and described the present initiative as a people’s movement. On whether the platform was advocating a solution for Nagaland alone or for all Naga-inhabited areas, he clarified that the demand was implementation of the two signed agreements into a single unified agreement.
Mediation Committee member, Theja Therie, said the committee was aware of misunderstandings and external influences surrounding the rally, but insisted such elements would not deter the broader effort.
He said the rally’s purpose was to prepare the public mindset to accept an eventual political settlement and cautioned that “if Naga minds are not prepared, the plane of negotiation might crash.”
While reaffirming support for the FNR and its reconciliatory mission, he emphasised the need for a practical approach to align the two signed agreements towards a final conclusion.
Naga Hoho president, Sulanthung Lotha, underscored that trust and unity among Naga stakeholders were essential for achieving peace. He urged Nagas to rise above suspicion and reason together.
Lotha claimed that tribal hohos and CSOs discouraging their members from attending the rally were organisations without a roadmap and asserted that the committee was aware of “those behind the scene” attempting to interfere with the platform’s objectives.
Committee member Z. Lohe expressed concern that despite ongoing ceasefires and agreements, there had been little tangible progress. He noted that the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position were already 8–10 years old, yet the promised peace remained elusive. He warned that if the agreements continued to stagnate, they would lead to public despair. Lohe said the rally carried no hidden agenda, was not encroaching on anyone’s domain, and existed solely to urge the GoI and NPGs to bring an early and acceptable solution. Calling the present situation in Nagaland “pseudo peace,” he said the platform sought to restore genuine peace.
Organising Committee member, Khekiye K. Sema, clarified the absence of NPGs at the rally, stating that after informal interactions, the groups conveyed that they preferred to work among themselves first. He said since the agreements had already been signed for the purpose of finding a solution, the question of the groups attending the rally did not arise. He said the committee therefore withdrew its earlier invitation and instead chose to create an open platform for citizens to express their aspirations to the Government of India.
Responding to tribal hohos and CSOs warning their members not to attend, Sema said the committee was not targeting any organisation and that the rally was open to all. He said ideological clashes were the result of ego issues, remarking that Nagas were “so much un-unitedly united.” He argued that while many claimed to want a political solution, some were more focused on taking credit and preventing others from contributing. He added that if any other organisation or group wished to organise similar platforms in the future, the committee would fully support them. Questioning the attitude of certain bodies, he asked, “What is this habit of not working for solution, and not allowing others to do so?”
Sema alleged that many Naga organisations and tribal hohos were “puppets” of chief minister Neiphiu Rio and accused the chief minister of influencing their decisions. He said if the chief minister directed them to cooperate, they would do so, and therefore urged “all sensible Nagas” to attend the platform without fear or pressure.
With the Naga Common Platform scheduled at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Agri Expo, the organising committee appealed to all sections of society to join the call for peace. Reiterating that the rally was not a counter to any ongoing efforts, the committee said it aimed to prepare the foundation for a unified and acceptable political solution for all Nagas.
NTC clarifies: Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has clarified section of the media on November 14 reported details of the November 18 Common Platform programme and attributed statements to a “former NTC president” Theja Therieh.
In a clarification, NTC president C. Pankathung Lotha and general secretary C. Onen Walling said that “as per the record there is no such name of former NTC president since inception of Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) till today.”