The Nagaland government’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) on Tuesday reiterated its demand for the appointment of a ministerial-level interlocutor by the Government of India to facilitate the Naga peace process and resolved to engage stakeholders to prepare a roadmap towards an early political settlement.
The decision was taken at a PAC meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at the Chief Minister’s Residential Complex in Kohima.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, PAC Member Secretary and Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs KG Kenye said the committee reviewed the resolutions adopted during its previous meetings held on September 12, 2024, and September 2025 at Rhododendron Hall, Chümoukedima.
Kenye clarified that Tuesday’s meeting was attended only by the 28 members of the PAC and not representatives of political parties, stating that a notification regarding the same had been issued on July 31, 2026.
“It was only a brief meeting. We took stock of the developments over the past 24 months and resolved to stand by the same position adopted in our earlier meetings,” he said.
Demand for ministerial-level interlocutor
The PAC reiterated that the Centre should appoint a ministerial-level interlocutor for the ongoing peace talks, saying such a move would help build confidence among negotiating parties and ensure that the state’s concerns are effectively conveyed to the Union government.
“It has to be taken to its logical conclusion. Unless the interlocutor is at the ministerial level, the parties involved in the talks are not very confident. Even the state government is not sure that our concerns will be effectively conveyed,” Kenye said.
He added that the Centre had earlier assured the state government that it would consider the demand.
Kenye said the state government was seeking representation from the higher levels of the Union government to ensure that the talks progress effectively. “A high-level representative from the Government of India would serve as a confidence booster,” he said.
Stakeholder consultations planned
On engaging stakeholders, Kenye said the government was working out the approach and would first prepare the groundwork before initiating consultations.
“Very soon, we hope something concrete will be laid out, a roadmap which we all should follow to continue to pursue a solution to our protracted political issue,” he said.
He added that all Nagas were stakeholders in the matter and urged organisations and individuals to avoid blame and counter-blame.
“All Nagas are stakeholders in this issue. We do not want to antagonise anyone or hurt anybody’s sentiments. We appeal to everyone to tone down charges and counter-charges because the blame game will not help us move forward,” Kenye said.
ENPO demand and
NSCN developments
Asked about the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO)’s recent demand for clarity on legislative powers for the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), Kenye said the issue was not discussed during Tuesday’s PAC meeting as the discussions were confined to the Naga political issue.
The ENPO had on July 29 urged the state government to convene a special Assembly session to enact legislation for the constitution of the FNTA, while hoping that the upcoming Independence Day would reflect the commitment of stakeholders towards implementing the commitments under the Memorandum of Agreement.
Kenye appealed for patience, saying, “We are at the threshold of something pleasant, and hopefully that should answer our aspirations. After decades of waiting, a few more weeks or months should not make a difference if it leads to a viable solution beneficial to all.”
On reports of a breakaway faction from the NSCN-IM leading to the formation of the NSCN (Eastern Flank), Kenye said the government was monitoring the developments but would not comment until the facts were verified.
Regarding the 10th anniversary of the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM, and the group’s assertion that it would not deviate from the accord, Kenye said the position was understandable.
“They are the signatories to the agreement, so it is natural for them to maintain that position. We are okay with that,” he said.
(With inputs from multiple sources)
