A high-level consultation on the Naga political issue, organized by the peace committee of Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) at the Tourist Lodge here Thursday, has called for a unified and honourable solution to the long-standing Naga political issue.
The meeting, which lasted over five hours and brought together key apex tribal bodies and civil society organizations, resulted in the adoption of several crucial resolutions. Excluding United Naga Council (UNC) Manipur, all the other 11 apex tribal bodies attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the house also adopted resolution underscoring the urgency of a unified Naga political resolution, citing growing frustration among the Naga people due to the prolonged peace negotiations. While calling for a unified political solution, the house urged all negotiating parties to work towards an inclusive and acceptable agreement without further delay.
Implementation of the Framework Agreement & Agreed Position: The Framework Agreement (2015) and Agreed Position (2017), signed between Naga groups and the Government of India, were recognized as essential documents. The meeting called for their integration into a common draft to facilitate a final resolution.
Appeal for Naga Political Unity: All Naga Political Groups (NPGs) were urged to set aside differences and work toward a single, consolidated agreement for a lasting solution.
Urgent Appeal to the Government of India: the Apex tribal bodies appealed to the Government of India to expedite the drafting of a unified document incorporating both agreements to ensure an early and decisive resolution.
Addressing the gathering, Senior Citizens’ Association Nagaland (SCAN) member and retired bureaucrat KK Sema emphasized the role of grassroots representation in the peace process. He pointed out that 75% of the Naga population resided in rural areas, where traditional village councils have historically played a crucial role in governance.
He proposed that this grassroots framework should serve as the foundation for a collective Naga voice, rather than the fragmented approach taken by numerous associations.
Sema also criticized the absence of a singular recognized tribal apex body to lead the Naga political movement. He lamented that while the Naga Hoho and other traditional institutions should have played a central role, their lack of initiative resulted in a leadership vacuum in the peace process.
Burden of Taxation & Economic Struggles: A major concern raised was the financial strain on ordinary Naga citizens, particularly those in rural areas, who have been subjected to multiple forms of taxation in the name of sovereignty for decades. “For 20, 30, 40, even 50 years, people have been paying taxes repeatedly, and they can no longer bear this burden,” Sema stated.
The meeting emphasized the need for a platform where common citizens could voice their grievances and urged the government to address this economic hardship immediately.
Acknowledging the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position as critical milestones, Sema pointed out that several factions remain excluded from the process.
He emphasized the need for the Government of India to ensure that all groups were involved in finalizing a common draft. “The Government of India does not seem opposed to adjustments in the common draft,” Sema said, adding it meant there was still room to ensure all factions contribute to the final agreement.
Sema also expressed disappointment over the state government’s passive role in the peace process. “Instead of actively pushing for a resolution, our leaders have chosen to remain silent,” he remarked. “How long can we watch our youth struggle without opportunities?” he questioned, saying government should have taken the lead, but seemed more interested in maintaining the status quo than in achieving peace.
Summing up the discussion, Sema described the current situation as “perhaps our last hope” for resolving the Naga issue. The meeting reinforced the urgency of finalizing a common draft and ensuring that all factions, civil society groups, and grassroots voices were included in shaping the future of the Naga people.
Several organizations including Nagaland Tribal Council, Senior Citizens Association of Nagaland, Forum for Naga Reconciliation, Ex-Parliamentarian Association of Nagaland, Naga Council Dimapur, Konyak Angh Union, Tirap Changlang & Longding Peoples Forum Arunachal Naga, Rengma-Zeliangrong Joint council Assam Naga and Naga Hoho.
Earlier, the session began with invocation by Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, convenor of FNR, while SCAN spokesperson K.K Sema briefed the gathering about the consultative meeting.