Former Naga Hoho president Sulanthung Lotha has claimed that his consistent advocacy for an early political settlement based on both the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position was one of the principal reasons behind the dissolution of the Naga Hoho Executive (2024–2028).
In a statement titled “The Reasons for the Dissolution of the Naga Hoho (2024–2028),” Lotha said he had consistently appealed to the Government of India to honour and implement both the Framework Agreement signed with the NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015, and the Agreed Position signed with the Working Committee of the NNPGs on November 17, 2017.
“Because I openly advocated for an early solution based on these two agreements, my position was opposed by certain groups. Even within the Executive Council of the Naga Hoho, my approach did not receive unanimous support and was, in many instances, rejected under the influence of external interests,” he stated.
“In my considered view, my consistent advocacy for an early political solution based on both the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position became one of the principal reasons that ultimately led to the dissolution of the Naga Hoho Executive (2024–2028),” he added.
Lotha maintained that both agreements “were entered into under the Constitution of India” and should be brought “to a logical conclusion at the earliest through an honourable and inclusive political settlement.”
He questioned why the two agreements should be disregarded, saying, “The Naga people deserve to reflect on an important question: if both agreements have already been signed, why should their existence or significance be disregarded?” He added that “lasting peace cannot be achieved through delay, mistrust, or political gamesmanship.”
Explaining the challenges faced during his tenure, Lotha said the Naga Hoho, established as an apex tribal body to unite Nagas across different states and regions, struggled to achieve its objective because of “administrative boundaries, regional divisions, and differing political ideologies.”
He said the principal challenges included geographical divisions, fragmented leadership among regional and tribal organisations, and political differences among various Naga political groups, which made consensus “extremely difficult.”
Lotha said he travelled extensively across Naga-inhabited areas to promote “peace, unity and reconciliation” and appealed to tribes, civil society organisations, church leaders and communities to strengthen the Naga Hoho as a common platform representing all Nagas.
Despite these efforts, he said, “we were unable to achieve the desired outcome because of deep-rooted divisions and longstanding challenges within our society.”
The former president also alleged that internal interference weakened the organisation.
“Certain individuals and groups attempted to control the Naga Hoho and project it as their own organisational platform or mouthpiece,” he said, asserting that the Naga Hoho “does not belong to any individual, organisation, or political group. It belongs to the Naga people as a whole.”
He said he had consistently maintained that the Naga Hoho must remain “an independent institution serving the collective interests of all Nagas rather than any particular group or faction,” adding that preserving its independence was essential for maintaining the organisation’s credibility.
Lotha further appealed to the newly constituted Search Committee to discharge its responsibility “with wisdom, pragmatism, impartiality, and a clear understanding of the realities on the ground.”
He cautioned that the Naga Hoho could not be strengthened unless it enjoyed the genuine support and mandate of the Naga tribes, particularly those in Nagaland, and warned that any executive lacking such support would face the same challenges as the outgoing leadership.
Appealing to the Government of India, Lotha urged it to bring the Naga political issue “to an honourable conclusion on the basis of the two agreements already reached—the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position,” saying an inclusive and mutually acceptable settlement was essential for lasting peace, stability and harmony in Naga society.
He concluded by expressing gratitude to tribal organisations, civil society groups, church leaders and well-wishers for their support during his tenure and voiced hope that “the dream of Naga unity will continue through the collective efforts of our people.”