New Divisions, Amendment Committee and finance body approved
The newly unified Naga People’s Front (NPF) has begun reshaping its organizational structure and signaling ambitions beyond Nagaland, with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stating that the party now aspires to build a footprint in Assam in addition to its presence in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
At the Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting held on Thursday, the party approved major internal changes including the creation of new divisions, amendments to its constitution, and the formation of a Central Finance Committee. The restructuring marks the first phase of consolidation following the October 21 merger of the NDPP and NPF, which Rio described as a “historic coming together.”
The CEC approved the establishment of separate Divisions for Meluri, Chümoukedima and Shamator, with appointments to be made “as per the party constitution.” A Constitution Amendment Committee was also constituted, featuring the secretary general as convenor, the convenor of the Central Legal Cell as member secretary, and the presidents of the Central Women, Youth and Farmers’ Wings as members.
These structural shifts are expected to shape how the reorganized NPF distributes responsibilities, accommodates members from both former parties, and expands its organizational reach across the state and beyond.
Addressing the CEC in his capacity as the new party president, Rio said the unified platform is “not confined to Nagaland alone,” highlighting the NPF’s existing units in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and adding that the party has “aspirations to build a footprint in Assam as well.”
“We cannot go beyond the international border, but we have Naga friends across borders. Let us work with that spirit,” he said, framing the merger as a step toward strengthening a broader regional Naga identity.
Political observers view this line as a significant indicator that the merged NPF is preparing to position itself as a cross-state Naga political voice – a development that could reshape inter-state political dynamics in the Northeast.
Rio acknowledged organizational challenges and internal pressures arising from the restructuring. He noted that the secretary general has been facing lobbying and appeals from party workers seeking accommodation within the new hierarchy.
He called for unity and cooperation, saying the success of the merger depends on members “working smoothly and together with sincerity.”
“Our coming together is not for ourselves, but for the cause of the Nagas to uphold our history, tradition, culture and identity,” Rio said, adding that the unification itself “creates history” and contributes to the limited written record of Naga political developments.
“I look forward to working together with renewed commitment and shared purpose as we strengthen the party and serve our people,” Rio also said.
The CEC resolved that the merger was undertaken in the “paramount interest of the Naga people” and appealed to other like-minded regional forces to join the platform. The party reaffirmed support for an “honorable, acceptable and inclusive” solution to the Naga political issue and endorsed the January 6 Cabinet Resolution seeking withdrawal of the re-imposed Protected Area Permit (PAP).
The House also authorized the party president to constitute a Central Finance Committee to manage the merged organization’s financial structure.
(With PTI inputs)
