After ULFA, 3 Naga groups unite for talks with Centre

Dimapur, December 31

Three Naga groups have come together and decided to pursue negotiations for a solution to the decades-old Naga political issue with the Centre jointly.

The decision was taken on Saturday during a meeting attended by leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) led by Akato Chophy, NSCN led by Khango and Z Royim-led Naga National Council (NNC). All three are splinter groups. The pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on Friday signed a peace accord with the Centre and Assam Government.

Joint effort

We have made separate approaches in the past but now we will make a joint effort on the Naga issue. Akato Chophy, NSCN leader

“The three groups have come together to have a joint political venture in 2024,” said Akato, while addressing journalists after the meeting here in the presence of leaders of the other two groups.

Asked if they have already approached the Centre with their decision to hold a dialogue, he said, “We have made separate approaches in the past but now we will make a joint effort on the Naga issue.” Akato also affirmed that they would be holding a dialogue separate from the negotiations being held by the working committee of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) with the Centre.

The NNPG is composed of only seven groups while other Naga groups have been left out, he said, announcing that the three groups welcome like-minded organisations to join them for the cause of the Nagas.

Stating that there was no nomenclature for the three groups who have come together, Akato said they would approach the Centre for political talks.

The Nagaland insurgency is the longest-running conflict in the country. The Centre has been holding separate negotiations with NSCN-IM since 1997 and the NNPGs since 2017.

The NSCN-IM has remained adamant on its demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas as well as integration of Naga-inhabited areas spread over four states of India — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, and also Myanmar.

On the other hand, the working committee of the NNPGs has expressed its willingness to accept whatever is granted for now and continue with the talks.

Nonetheless, as of now, there is no significant development in the political negotiations between Centre and the Naga groups.