In a significant development toward resolving the long-standing Naga political issue, A.K. Mishra, the Government of India’s interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, held crucial back-to-back meetings with leaders from various Naga Political Groups (NPGs) on Wednesday at the Officers’ Mess Hall, Police Complex, Chümoukedima.
The meetings included representatives of NSCN (I-M), Neokpao-led and Kitovi-led factions of the Working Committee of the NNPGs (WC-NNPGs), NSCN/GPRN (Niki group), and other prominent Naga leaders. Mishra arrived in Nagaland on June 10 and had already held a closed-door meeting with an eight-member NSCN (I-M) delegation led by Deputy Ato Kilonser V.S. Atem on Tuesday.
Following the Wednesday deliberations, Col. (Retd) Isak Sumi, Ato Kilonser of NSCN/GPRN (K), emphasized that a comprehensive execution plan was in the works, aimed at delivering an inclusive and acceptable solution to the Naga issue. He acknowledged the growing frustration among the Naga public over delays and division and offered an apology for past failures and internal blame games.
“We cannot justify, and we cannot shy away from that,” said Isak, describing the process as a complex historical journey spanning over seven decades.
Isak highlighted the difficulty of unifying geographically and politically dispersed groups spread across several states. However, he expressed optimism that a common platform for dialogue, trust-building, and reconciliation was being nurtured with active support from the Centre, civil society organisations, and tribal leaders.
When questioned about the relevance of the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position, Isak clarified that the focus had shifted beyond these documents. The discourse now centres on evolving an execution plan that reflects the collective aspirations of the Naga people.
He candidly admitted the disconnect between public calls for unity and existing divisions, urging genuine efforts to bridge gaps. He praised the efforts of the Council of Naga Relationships and Cooperation (CNRC) and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) for their ongoing role in healing divides.
NSCN/GPRN (R) leaders Tikhak Naga and R. Wangtin Naga clarified that their participation was not to assert ownership over the Agreed Position. Instead, they emphasized that both the Agreed Position and the Framework Agreement were milestones, and that the final solution must unify them under a single vision.
“The agreement belongs to the people, not to individual leaders,” Wangtin declared.
Echoing these sentiments, C. Singson, Member of the Collective Leadership of NSCN/GPRN (Unification), admitted the split within NNPGs was a manmade division. He urged leaders to move past internal rifts and focus on achieving unity and forgiveness for the greater good.
“The time has come for all of us to accept one another. Then only can we question the Government of India,” Singson added, stressing that the ball was now in the court of the Naga people.
The Kitovi-led Working Committee of NNPGs, which includes recently merged factions, also met Mishra separately. G. Naga, WC secretary and Ceasefire Supervisory Board supervisor, called the meeting “fruitful” and reiterated the objective of an early, honourable, and inclusive solution.
When asked about the internal divisions, G. Naga termed it as an issue among “family members,” stating that all groups share the common goal of a unified resolution.
NSCN/GPRN-R (Akato) President Akato Chophi also shared optimism, noting that despite differences, solutions always emerge through dialogue.
