The Government of Naga National Council – Democratic Socialist Republic of Nagaland (GNNC/DSRN) has expressed “deep concern and disappointment” over the recent declaration made by the Naga Tribe Hohos (NTHs) and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) on October 19, which stated that the formation of new Naga political factions will not be accepted.
While acknowledging the intent of unity and reconciliation, the GNNC/DSRN said the statement raises questions about its timing, motive, and consistency with the historical and political realities of the Naga movement. “If the concern was truly for unity and the sacred journey of the Naga people, why did these bodies not raise their voice earlier when disunity, favoritism, and leadership crises crippled the movement from within?” it stated.
The group accused the FNR and Tribe Hohos of remaining silent “when the spirit of nationalism was eroding under internal corruption” and questioned their failure to curb corruption or ensure accountability within Naga political groups. It further asked whether the FNR now stands “for the cause of the Nagas, or has it become a convenient instrument serving the interest of the Indian government and status-quo forces that seek to domesticate the Naga political aspiration.”
Reaffirming its position, the GNNC/DSRN said it remains committed to the cause of Naga sovereignty, asserting that “the destiny of the Nagas must be determined by the Nagas themselves, and not subordinated to the Constitution of India.” It added that the right to form political or revolutionary organizations cannot be dictated by any Hoho or forum, saying that “true reconciliation cannot be enforced through suppression; it must grow through accountability, honesty, and shared purpose.”
The statement further said that Tribe Hohos are “cultural and social custodians, not political sovereigns,” and warned that imposing restrictions on political reorganization risks “freezing the movement into stagnation and dependency.”
While calling for sincerity and transparency in the pursuit of unity, the GNNC/DSRN urged the FNR and Tribe Hohos “to engage with emerging voices rather than suppress them,” adding that “unity without justice is bondage.”
The group also welcomed Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s recent visit to New Delhi to discuss the Naga political issue but questioned the nature of the response reportedly given by the Government of India. “If the Indian government insists that a solution cannot be granted unless the Nagas are united, then it must clarify what kind of solution it is prepared to offer—is it one that upholds the Naga people’s right to sovereignty, or one confined within the framework of the Indian Constitution?” the GNNC/DSRN stated.
It added that only when this question is answered with clarity “can the Nagas collectively decide their course of action and move forward with a shared vision.” (Find full article here)
