Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced that the state government’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) held a closed-door consultation with the NSCN-IM on September 16 to address the prolonged deadlock in the Naga political negotiations and explore the formation of an apex committee to revive the dialogue.
Speaking to reporters following the meeting in Chumoukedima, Rio confirmed that discussions centered on the factors delaying the peace process and the framework for the proposed apex body. Rio noted that talks would officially resume once the committee’s structure is finalized, adding that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously assured that a Union Minister of State for Home Affairs would be designated as the interlocutor.
NSCN-IM leader Rh. Raising characterized the gathering as a consultation rather than a formal negotiation, stating that the initiative to break the impasse lies with the Central government. Although a ceasefire has been in place since 1997 and the landmark Framework Agreement was signed in August 2015, final resolution remains stalled over core NSCN-IM demands for a separate flag, a distinct constitution, and the integration of contiguous Naga-inhabited areas.
The insurgent leadership also formally distanced itself from former Nagaland Chief Minister S.C. Jamir’s recent discussions on the Naga issue with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Both Raising and senior NSCN-IM leader V.S. Atem rejected the engagement, asserting that Jamir and non-mandated figures hold no authority to represent the Naga people in political peace negotiations.
