New Delhi/Kohima, Feb 6 (NationPress) The government is set to appoint a Minister of State for Home Affairs to lead the upcoming stage of the Naga peace discussions, with senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) anticipated to play a crucial role in enhancing the dialogue, as per officials on Friday.

A senior official from the Nagaland government revealed that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio led a high-ranking official team to New Delhi earlier this week, where he conducted separate discussions with key Union leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

During the engagement with the Union Home Minister, Nagaland MPs Supongmeren Jamir (Lok Sabha) and Phangnon Konyak (Rajya Sabha) also participated as members of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) Sub-Committee.

The official mentioned that in accordance with the four-point resolutions established during the consultative meeting on the Naga political matter held on September 12, 2024, the Chief Minister discussed various facets of the Naga peace negotiations during his conversation with Shah.

“The Chief Minister emphasized the necessity of reinstating talks at the highest political tier through the appointment of an interlocutor of political or ministerial stature to hasten the process and strive for a timely and honorable resolution to the Naga political dilemma,” the official stated.

The Union Home Minister reportedly responded favorably to this suggestion and indicated that a Minister of State for Home Affairs, along with officials from the MHA, would be designated to advance the Naga discussions.

Currently, A.K. Mishra, Advisor to the MHA on Northeast Affairs, is engaging in discussions on behalf of the Centre with various Naga factions, including the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM).

The official noted that during the dialogue, the Chief Minister also addressed the issue of lifting the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in Nagaland and sought a relaxation of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border.

On January 6, 2025, the Nagaland Cabinet deliberated on re-implementing the PAP, subsequently writing to the MHA on January 22, 2025, requesting a review of this decision and the restoration of the prior relaxations granted to the state.

The Cabinet revisited the topic on December 16, 2025, and again on February 3, 2026, deciding to pursue with the MHA for a comprehensive relaxation of the PAP in Nagaland.

The Chief Minister also communicated with the Centre through four letters between July 2025 and November 28, 2025, urging a reassessment of the PAP regime's re-imposition.

The Union Home Minister assured that the Home Ministry would thoroughly evaluate the matter.

The PAP, enforced in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, regulates the entry of foreign nationals into specific regions.

The official highlighted that Nagaland shares a 215-km unfenced International Border with Myanmar, intersecting Naga communities on both sides.

“These communities have historically maintained profound social, cultural, and economic connections, engaging in regular cross-border movements for agriculture, cultural practices, and family obligations,” he added.

The Cabinet discussed the PAP issue on January 6, 2025, leading to the state government contacting the MHA for the restoration of the prior Free Movement Regime. On July 18, 2025, the Chief Minister again urged the Centre regarding the revised FMR guidelines, stating that they were imposing difficulties on border communities, and requested a more adaptable approach that considers national security without compromising traditional rights and livelihoods.

This matter was once again deliberated upon by the Cabinet on February 3, 2026, with the state government deciding to encourage the MHA to reevaluate the revised FMR guidelines, recognizing the region's distinct demographic and cultural realities.

Shah listened attentively and assured a positive response to the examination of the issue, the official concluded.