New interlocutor appointment a significant & encouraging development: NPF Charges NPCC with ‘insincerity’ towards Naga political issue

Kohima, September 30 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has described the appointment of a new interlocutor for the Indo-Naga political talks as a “significant and encouraging development”, while accusing the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) of being “insincere” towards the Naga political issue.

In a rejoinder to the NPCC, (https://morungexpress.com/npcc-questions-npfs-stand-on-councillor-poaching-interlocutor) which had criticised the appointment of a retired civil servant as the new interlocutor for the Indo-Naga political talks, the NPF accused the Congress party of being “insincere” towards the Naga political issue.

The party pointed out that the appointment was in line with the resolution adopted at the September 12, 2024 consultative meeting convened by the Nagaland Government, which unanimously appealed to the Government of India to appoint an interlocutor at the political or ministerial level with the confidence and mandate of the government.

The development “fulfils, in letter and spirit” the September 12 resolution, which was adopted with the participation of Naga civil society organisations, churches, student bodies, intellectuals and elected representatives, including the two Members of Parliament, it added.

Accordingly, the NPF questioned the NPCC’s position on the appointment, saying it was “in a way, against the unanimous resolution” to which the Congress was also a party.

It alleged that the NPCC’s opposition demonstrated “insincerity” towards the Naga political issue and accused it of attempting to “derail the process” by opposing the present interlocutor.

The NPR also pointed out that the ceasefire reached between Naga national workers and the Government of India during the tenure of Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, followed by the Framework Agreement in 2015 and the Agreed Position in 2017 under the NDA governments led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi.

Meanwhile, the NPF said it “fully endorses and stands by” the resolution and supports the demand for a political or ministerial-level interlocutor.

It expressed hope that the appointment of the new interlocutor, along with the inclusion of a Union Minister or group of Union Ministers in the negotiation framework, would facilitate meaningful political engagement and expedite a settlement to the long-standing Naga political issue.

The NPF said an exchange of statements would serve no purpose and called for unity and collective resolve to bring the political process to a logical conclusion.

It urged all political parties and sections of Naga society, including the NPCC, to extend support to the peace process and said the present juncture called for “unity and understanding, rather than creating confusion”.

The NPF reiterated its commitment to an “early, honourable, inclusive, acceptable and lasting political settlement” to the Naga political issue.