NPF defends new Naga talks interlocutor, rebukes Congress

DIMAPUR — Continuing its war of words with the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) over the appointment of the new interlocutor for Indo-Naga talks, the Naga People's Front (NPF) on Wednesday said Ajit Lal’s appointment was in line with the state’s 2024 demand for a political or ministerial-level interlocutor.

In a rejoinder to the NPCC, the NPF stated that the September 12, 2024 consultative meeting convened by the state government had unanimously appealed to the Centre to appoint an interlocutor at the political or ministerial level with the confidence and mandate of the government.

The party expressed hope the new interlocutor, along with the inclusion of a Union minister or a group of Union ministers in the negotiation framework, would facilitate meaningful political engagement and help expedite a settlement to the long-standing Naga political issue.

The NPF described the appointment as a “significant and encouraging development” and said it was consistent with the position adopted at the consultative meeting involving civil society organisations, churches, student bodies, intellectuals and elected representatives.

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It also criticised the NPCC’s position, pointing out that the Congress was part of the consultative process that called for a political or ministerial-level interlocutor.

The NPF accused the NPCC of attempting to derail the process by opposing the appointment and urged political parties to focus on facilitating dialogue rather than creating confusion.

Recalling the history of the peace process, the party said a ceasefire between Naga national workers and the government of India was brought about during the tenure of Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. It also pointed to the signing of the Framework Agreement in 2015 and the Agreed Position in 2017 under successive NDA governments.

The party asserted that the Naga political issue required collective effort and support from all sections, including political parties, to take the process to its “logical conclusion”.