Kohima, Oct 15 (NationPress) The ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA), a coalition comprising multiple parties led by the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), expressed its gratitude towards the Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its steadfast support in fostering the all-round progress of Nagaland.

In a significant meeting convened by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in Kohima on Wednesday, a unanimous resolution was passed, which stated, “The House urged the Government of India and the negotiating parties involved in the Indo-Naga peace process to take genuine steps to advance the ongoing discussions towards a fruitful conclusion. The settlement should be achieved in a way that is honorable, inclusive, and acceptable to the populace.”

The resolution also welcomed the decision of the Naga People's Front (NPF) to officially integrate into the PDA and recognized the NPF as a full-fledged partner within the alliance.

“The House further expressed its gratitude to the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for their guidance, support, and favorable decision regarding the NPF's partnership with the PDA,” the resolution highlighted.

Attendees of the meeting included Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister and Leader of the BJP Legislature Party Yanthungo Patton, Nagaland BJP President Benjamin Yepthomi, NDPP Secretary General Abu Metha, Senior VP of NDPP Rusemtong Longkumer, NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon, and NPF President Apong Pongener.

In a related note, the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Nagaland government has recently urged the central government to elevate the Naga peace discussions to the highest political level by appointing an interlocutor of political or ministerial stature who possesses the confidence and mandate of the government.

A spokesperson for the Nagaland government previously mentioned that the PAC, led by Chief Minister Rio, resolved to resume peace talks at the political level to accelerate the negotiation process. The meeting saw participation from Deputy Chief Ministers T.R. Zeliang and Yanthungo Patton, various Ministers, Members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, advisors to the Chief Minister, and MLAs.

The PAC also reaffirmed the resolutions made during the Consultative Meeting held on September 12, 2024, in Kohima, which included all stakeholders such as Tribal Hohos, civil society representatives, mass organizations, church bodies, NGOs, gazetted officers, unions, student bodies, and political parties.

Additionally, the PAC commended the negotiating parties, including the Government of India and the Naga Political Groups, for their commitment to uphold the principles of the ceasefire agreements and ensuring that the dialogue continues without disruption despite facing numerous challenges over the past two decades, according to the spokesperson.

A.K. Mishra, Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Northeast affairs, has held a series of discussions with various Naga groups, including the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM).

The former Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi served as the interlocutor during the Naga peace talks until his appointment as Tamil Nadu Governor in September 2021. The Union government has been engaged in political negotiations with the NSCN-IM and other Naga factions since the signing of the ceasefire agreement in 1997, and also finalized the significant Framework Agreement in 2015. The government has also initiated parallel discussions with the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), which is an amalgamation of at least seven Naga factions, since 2017.

They signed the Agreed Position in November 2017, and the NSCN-IM has consistently insisted on its demands for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas, as well as the integration of Naga-inhabited regions across four Northeastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland—along with Myanmar. These demands have been repeatedly rejected by the government.