From the headquarters ground of Ukhrul in Manipur, Nagaland’s political leadership spoke in one tone on Sunday, reaffirming the aspiration for Naga integration and warning against forces that seek to fragment the collective journey.
Addressing the Lui-Ngai-Ni celebration organised by the United Naga Council, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that though Nagas may be “physically divided by administrative boundaries,” they remain “emotionally integrated as one family.”
Stressing that “emotional integration and socio-cultural cohesion are the true foundations of Naga strength,” Rio stated that “geography may define administrative arrangements but cannot diminish ties of kinship, culture and faith.” In this regard, he underlined the need to work towards a pan-Naga platform to provide a collective voice.
Reiterating the long-standing political aspiration, he affirmed the integration of “all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas under one administrative umbrella,” recalling that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed six resolutions between 1964 and 2018 supporting the demand.
Referring to the merger of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party and the Naga People’s Front on October 21, 2025, under the common Cock symbol, Rio termed it a “historic moment in the political journey of the Naga people,” asserting that the unification strengthened the organisation and boosted morale in the larger interest of the people.
On the progress of talks, he noted that years had elapsed since the signing of the Framework Agreement in 2015 and the Agreed Position in 2017, and informed that on February 5, 2026, a Political Affairs Committee sub-committee met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to reiterate the need to take forward the dialogue at the political or ministerial level.
Echoing the call for unity, MLA Achumbemo Kikon said, “Nagas today have struggled to live together as ‘one political entity’ and as one people where our forefathers have laid a strong foundation to live as one people.”
He urged the Nagas to remain anchored to the vision of their forefathers. “I only wish to urge and embrace that the foundation that our forefathers have laid for us is to live and think to work as one people but not as divided people,” he said.
Cautioning against what he termed shifting narratives, Kikon stated, “There are groups of individuals and organizations that are trying to change the narrative that Naga journey has taken this much long and therefore, we must deviater from the original cause. I would like to caution all of us to be mindful of such a narrative.”
“The moment we start thinking of dividing ourselves, working towards dividing our Naga homeland, there lies our setback. There lies our danger for our people,” he added.
Reiterating the collective aspiration of the Nagas, he said, “Naga people’s dream of living together cannot be forgotten and we must keep on with that journey.” Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Kikon remarked, “The road, no doubt, is bumpy. Just because it is bumpy we don’t get down from the vehicle, we tighten our seatbelt and move on.”
He also addressed neighboring communities, stating, “To our neighboring communities, The desire and the right of the Naga people to live together is not at the expense of their rights.”
Recalling the historical hardships faced by the Nagas, Kikon said, “Naga people have experienced enough hardships from early 40s to 60s. It is our desire to live together in peaceful coexistence. We must respect each other’s rights, both political and land rights.”
The Lui-Ngai-Ni festival, marking the seed-sowing season and shared cultural identity of the Nagas, brought together leaders and representatives from across Naga-inhabited areas.