NPF accuses NPCC of contradicting 2024 resolution on interlocutor

DIMAPUR, SEP 30 (NPN): Naga People’s Front (NPF) has accused the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) of contradicting its own position on the Naga political process by opposing the appointment of the Centre’s new interlocutor, saying the move was contrary to a unanimous resolution adopted by all political parties and other stakeholders in September 2024.
NPF through its press bureau said the September 12, 2024 consultative meeting convened by the state government had unanimously called for an interlocutor at the political or ministerial level, with the confidence and mandate of the government.
NPF said it “fully endorses” that resolution and supports the appointment of the new interlocutor, along with the inclusion of a Union minister or group of Union ministers in the negotiation framework.
It said the development could facilitate meaningful political engagement and help advance an early settlement to the long-running Naga political issue.
The party said the appointment was consistent with the 2024 resolution adopted by civil society organisations, churches, student bodies, intellectuals and elected representatives, including the two MPs, and noted that the NPCC had also been part of the consultative process.
NPF also accused the NPCC of attempting to derail the process by opposing the present interlocutor and said the disagreement risked distracting from the broader objective of advancing the peace process. Recalling the evolution of the talks, NPF said a ceasefire between Naga national workers and the Government of India was reached during the tenure of Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao.
It said the process was subsequently taken to a higher political level under NDA governments led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi, with the signing of the 2015 Framework Agreement and the 2017 Agreed Position.
The party said political exchanges between parties would serve little purpose and called for unity and collective resolve to bring the protracted political process to a conclusion.
NPF urged all political parties, including the NPCC, and other sections of society to facilitate the process rather than create confusion, and reiterated its commitment to an early, honourable, inclusive, acceptable and lasting political settlement for the Nagas.