The GPRN/NSN (U), under the leadership of President, Gen (retd) MB Neokpao Konyak and Ato Kilonser Inno Alezo Venuh, through its Ministry of Information & Publicity (MIP), unequivocally expresses its deep concern over the persistent insincerity displayed by the Chief Minister and the Government of Nagaland.
The recent attempts by the NPF Leadership, particularly the statement made by Chief Minister, Dr Neiphiu Rio and Minister, G Kaito Aye, are nothing more than political face-saving exercise that expose the party’s alarming insensitivity towards the aspiration and political sentiments of the Naga people. The explanations advanced by the NPF are too feeble and unconvincing to obscure the gravity of the issue under the pretext of “misinterpretation.”
The NPF leadership must recognise that Nagaland was established upon the enduring foundation of Naga Customary Institutions and traditions. It is not merely a political construct derived from the framework of the Indian Constitution. The constitutional and customary position remains explicit: no authority should supersede Naga Customary laws, practices, procedures, or jurisprudence.
The power vested in Naga customary institutions and sovereign village republics do not emanate from the state Government. Rather, the customary institutions themselves serve as the traditional authority that restrains arbitrary state action. Powers that are beyond the competence of the Parliament of India cannot lawfully be exercised by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Consequently, neither the State Legislature nor the Government of Nagaland can enact or enforce measures inconsistent with the established Naga Customary Laws and Practices.
In essence, the Government of Nagaland functions within the limitations prescribed by the Naga Customary Institution. The sovereign right and political identity of the Nagas cannot be diluted or overridden by any temporary political arrangement. In such circumstances, it is deeply inappropriate for members of the Council of Ministers, or its chairman, to dictate terms to the Naga Tribal Bodies and the GBs of Nagaland.
The statements made by the concerned minister have exceeded acceptable political and constitutional boundaries. As a party claiming to represent the interest of the Nagas, the NPF ought to have cautioned and reprimanded the minister concerned and demanded the withdrawal of such remarks. Furthermore, while the NPF now alleges the “direct involvement” of the tribal bodies and GBs with particular groups, the party should recall its own conduct during the 2017 Manipur Legislative Assembly election. At that time, the NPF openly aligned itself with one of the Naga Nationalist Groups while subsequently saying that the NPF Manipur shall remain independent from NPF Nagaland unit from the activities; nevertheless, the principal campaigners in the hill districts of Manipur originated from Nagaland itself.
Equally pertinent is the silence maintained by the same political party when the Home Commissioner of Nagaland issued a show cause notice to the President of the NGB Federation in August 2022. The NGBF is neither subordinate nor answerable to the Government of Nagaland. Therefore, the issuance of such a notice represented a serious overreach of administrative authority.
A ceremonial red shawl or financial assistance extended by the Government to the customary institutions cannot be construed as an obligation for the Naga customary leaders to submit themselves before the bureaucratic authorities or elected representatives. The Government of Nagaland has no codified mechanism empowering it to conduct consultations or obtain assent from Naga customary institutions in the manner presently being pursued. In the absence of a transparent and legitimate process, such consultative meetings with tribal bodies appear increasingly to be instruments of political convenience designed to advance the state Government’s agenda on the Naga political issue.
It is a matter of public record that there has been direct communication between the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and the NGBF leadership. On 3rd August 2017, assurances were reportedly given that the Indo-Naga peace process would move towards an inclusive and comprehensive political settlement. The Prime Minister reiterated this commitment during subsequent election campaigns.
Moreover, the Framework Agreement of 3rd August 2015 clearly recorded that negotiation had been “successfully concluded” and the Government of India subsequently declared on 31st October 2019 that the Naga Peace Talks had reached their conclusion. In the light of these developments, there exists no legitimate justification for the Chief Minister to invoke the NGBF and tribal bodies as instruments to exert pressure for the appointment of an “interlocutor.”
A minister of state lacks the political and constitutional stature necessary to serve as an interlocutor on matters of such historic and national significance. Former interlocutor RN Ravi held cabinet rank, reflecting the seriousness with which the GoI initially approached the issue. The subsequent downgrading of the process to lower administrative levels demonstrates a marked shift in both policy and commitment on the part of Government of India.
At that juncture, the Chief Minister of Nagaland ought to have intervened decisively by urging the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to preserve the political character and status of the peace process. Prior consultation with the Naga Nationalist leadership should have preceded any recommendation or advisory rule undertaken by the State Government.
Having governed Nagaland for more than two decades, the NPF is fully conversant with the political and legal implications surrounding the Indo-Naga peace process. The party is equally aware that agreements entered into by the Government of India are generally governed by the doctrine of “Estoppel”, namely, that a signatory cannot subsequently repudiate commitments made with the full knowledge of their intent and purpose.
The intervention of the Government of Nagaland in matters already addressed under prior agreements with the GoI undermines the fundamental principles of political and contractual obligation. Since the peace talks were formally concluded on 31st October 2019, the Government of Nagaland can only function in a limited and facilitative capacity, irrespective of how many consecutive terms it may hold office.
It increasingly appears that the NPF and the present state government are hell-bent on prolonging the political process primarily to preserve their political relevance and continuation in power, thereby delaying the final settlement. As matters relating to legislative structures and competencies were substantially settled by 31st October 2019, the Government of Nagaland should refrain from devising political strategies intended to defer the accord between Government of India and the Naga Nationalist Groups for electoral or regional considerations, whether in Nagaland, Manipur or elsewhere.
Issued by:
Ministry of Information & Publicity, GPRN/NSCN (Unification)
