CM Neiphiu Rio addresses reception organised by the NPF in his honour in Chümoukedima on February 11. (Photo Courtesy: NPF)
Indicates possible elevation of political talks
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | February 11
Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio on February 11 emphasised the need for unity among Nagas across party lines, tribes and regions, asserting that collective strength is key to progress.
Addressing party workers at a reception organised by the Naga People’s Front (NPF) Central Headquarters at the NPF Office, Chümoukedima, CM Rio said unity and reconciliation must guide both political leadership and civil society.
“If there is unity among the Nagas, everything is possible,” he said, adding that projecting division only weakens the collective cause. “We should not say Nagas are divided. On our platform, Nagas are united.”
Elaborating meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the recent Delhi visit, CM Rio said that he personally conveyed the resolution of consultative meeting held on September 12, 2024, describing it as a historic exercise in collective mandate-building.
He said 61 organisations participated in the meeting, including tribal hohos, civil society bodies, church organisations, student bodies, senior citizens and a total of 226 representatives signed the resolution adopted at the meeting.
The key resolution appealed to the Government of India to elevate the ongoing Indo-Naga dialogue to the highest political level by appointing an interlocutor of ministerial rank with the confidence and mandate of the Government.
During the meeting, I even proposed a name, he added.
According to him, the Home Ministry responded positively, indicating that a Union Minister of State along with an Intelligence Bureau expert would be tasked to take the talks forward at the political level.
Subsequently, CM met the Union Home Secretary and the Director of the IB to follow up, stating that the matter was “concretised” and aligned with the State’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) initiative.
Later speaking to the media, Rio clarified that AK Mishra continues as Advisor for the North East and remains involved in the Naga peace process. “We are not against him. He will do his own duty. But the Naga issue is a political issue. So, as the resolution has been taken, we want the talk to be at the political level,” he stated.
Meanwhile CM Rio said that from 2026 onward, the State Government intends to pursue the Naga political issue more vigorously.
“Even if we cannot solve it completely, we must give a report card to the public before the term ends,” he said, emphasising accountability to the people.
The PAC, he added, will engage with Naga National Political Groups to facilitate dialogue. However, he acknowledged that core issues such as the Naga flag, constitution and integration, remain pending under the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position.
“These are to be discussed in letter and spirit and competencies written down,” he said, indicating that careful negotiation and documentation will be required to move forward.
Respond to critics
CM Rio referred to certain sections who have publicly suggested that the Naga talks are finished or unlikely to succeed and questioned the representative mandate of such views, contrasting them with the broad-based participation in the September 12 consultative meeting as well as the delegation to Home Minister.
He pointed out that two Members of Parliament, one from the Congress and one from the BJP, also endorsed the resolution, demonstrating cross-party backing.
“Which has the mandate?” he asked, urging party members not to lend weight to narratives that undermine the collective position.
Rio also addressed concerns over illegal taxation and internal friction among Naga political groups. While stating that Nagaland has one of the lowest crime rates in terms of killings and armed clashes, he noted that multiple tax collections and disputes over resources have created tension.
He said the issue was raised with the Union Home Minister, emphasising that without a political solution, such problems would persist and underlined the State Government’s role as facilitator.
Call for Pan-Naga platform & faith
Looking beyond immediate negotiations, CM Rio stressed the need for broader Naga unity across Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Even if physical integration of contiguous Naga areas does not happen immediately, he said, emotional, social and cultural integration must be strengthened. He proposed the idea of a “Pan-Naga Hoho” platform to provide a collective voice.
“If a settlement comes today, there must be a platform to land it,” he observed, warning that without a unified structure, any agreement could lack coherence and acceptance.
Invoking faith, Rio said that while many Nagas believe in a divine promise regarding their future, human efforts must operate within practical limits.
“As human beings, we have limitations. We must live in peace and do what we can,” he said, adding that ultimate outcomes should be left to God’s timing.
He cautioned that fragmented approaches or separate demands would not yield results. “If different groups ask separately, it will not come. But if we unite, in God’s time it will come,” he stated.
Reiterating that unity remains the foundation for progress, CM Rio called on Nagas to remain cohesive, work collectively and strengthen their shared mandate as the political dialogue moves forward.
