The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has rejected allegations made by the Working Committee (WC), NNPGs, over the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on oil exploration and defended its role in the Naga political process, while calling for unity and political-level engagement to achieve a solution to the Indo-Naga issue.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the NPF said the Indo-Naga issue “does not belong to any one person, group, or political party” but is “a historic issue built on the sacrifices and hopes of generations of Nagas.”
“At this stage, we must not create more divisions through blame and criticism. We must work with wisdom, maturity, and unity to find an honourable, acceptable, and inclusive political solution,” the party stated.
The NPF said criticism had come at a time when Nagas should be focusing on “bigger challenges” and maintained that “public arguments that distract from the larger interests of our people serve no purpose when we need unity and understanding most.”
Responding to allegations that it prevented members of the Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation from meeting the Prime Minister, the party said the claim was “false.”
“The NPF believes that Gaon Buras have specific duties related to village governance and customary administration.
They should focus on these responsibilities within their given role. Getting involved in matters outside this role can cause unnecessary confusion,” it stated.
The party also dismissed allegations that it was responsible for the exit of former interlocutor RN Ravi, calling the claim “baseless.”
“The appointment, continuation, or transfer of Government of India representatives is decided only by the Government of India,” the NPF said, adding that Ravi had been carrying out responsibilities assigned to him by the Government of India as Governor and interlocutor.
The NPF said that during Ravi’s tenure, “different groups – tribal bodies, churches, civil society, and political parties – shared different views on the talks” and maintained that such opinions were part of “normal political discussion around the peace process.”
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On criticism regarding political-level engagement in the peace process, the party reiterated that the Indo-Naga issue “needs attention and engagement at the highest political level.”
“This issue is not new, and it cannot be solved through routine administrative steps. After a long and difficult journey, it now needs sincere political leadership and clear decisions to reach a honourable conclusion,” it said.
The NPF cited the Consultative Meeting on the Naga Political Issue convened by the Government of Nagaland on September 12, 2024, and noted that representatives of tribal hohos, church bodies, civil society organisations, student bodies, political parties, Members of Parliament and legislators had unanimously adopted a resolution seeking the appointment of “an interlocutor of political or ministerial rank with full authority.”
“The call for political-level engagement was not just the NPF’s stand or one leader’s view. It was the united voice of Naga society through an official consultative process,” the statement said.
Addressing concerns over the recent oil exploration MoU, the NPF acknowledged that different sections of Naga society had raised questions regarding ownership and management of natural resources but argued that such issues should be approached with “a historical view, clear facts, and collective responsibility.”
The party pointed out that the Assam-Nagaland boundary dispute had continued for decades and that petroleum and mineral resources in disputed areas had long been contested.
“Assam had started exploration and drilling in some of these areas long before the present MoU. This has been a matter of concern even before such an agreement was thought of,” it said, adding that it was “wrong to say that the issue of oil exploration came up only because of the recent MoU.”
“Whether Nagaland signed such an arrangement or not, the basic questions of territory, resource ownership, and competing claims have existed for decades,” the NPF stated.
The party further said that both Nagaland and Assam had in recent years shown willingness to resolve the boundary dispute through dialogue and urged stakeholders to support “constructive dialogue and constitutional processes instead of using sensitive issues for short-term political gain.”
Referring to the younger generation, the NPF said that since the Government of India had officially recognised the Indo-Naga issue as a political issue requiring a political solution, young Nagas should engage with it “seriously and constructively.”
“Differences of opinion are natural. But the long history of sacrifice and hope linked to the Naga movement calls for informed understanding, not anger,” it stated.
The party also drew attention to the security situation in Manipur, saying Naga villages there “continue to face attacks from adversaries.”
“The recent killing of six innocent Naga lives has caused deep sorrow across all Naga areas,” it stated, adding that Naga freedom fighters should give priority to “protecting Naga villages and lives.”
“Political dialogue must go hand in hand with real security on the ground for Nagas under attack. The Naga political solution and Naga lives cannot be separated,” the statement said.
Appealing to all stakeholders, including Naga Political Groups, tribal hohos, church organisations, civil society bodies and political parties, the NPF called for “unity, mutual respect, and collective responsibility” and reaffirmed its commitment to an “honourable, acceptable, and inclusive political solution.”
