Kohima – The Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), a coalition of seven organizations, has called on the Nagaland government to urge the Centre to update the Supreme Court on the status of the Naga peace talks. The appeal comes in response to the Court’s recent directive to expedite the delimitation process in Nagaland, alongside Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Manipur, within three months.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the NNPGs expressed concerns that the Centre has yet to inform the Supreme Court about the conclusion of political negotiations related to the Naga issue. The group emphasized that the political dialogue officially concluded on October 31, 2019, resulting in key agreements, including an increase in the Nagaland Assembly’s strength to 80 seats. This expansion aims to ensure representation for all 17 Naga tribes in both the Assembly and the state Cabinet. Additionally, the NNPGs claimed the agreement includes raising the number of Lok Sabha seats from one to three.
The coalition urged the state government to intervene and halt the ongoing delimitation process, stressing that the Centre must honor the commitments made during peace negotiations. They highlighted the need for the Nagaland government, as a facilitator of the peace talks, to convey the sentiments of the Naga people and uphold the historical and political understandings reached with the Centre.
The NNPGs also raised concerns regarding a separate legal matter involving the Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules and Regulations. They pointed out that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the constitutionality of these regulations is scheduled for a hearing before a division bench of the Guwahati High Court on March 24. The group asserted that these regulations are tied to the peace process, warning that any judicial ruling on the matter could disrupt the agreements already reached.
Reiterating their stance, the NNPGs called on the Nagaland government to present a clear account of the political agreements before the court. They emphasized that several matters under scrutiny are part of the broader peace discussions, and some have already been settled.
The letter reflects growing concerns among the NNPGs about the potential impact of legal and administrative actions on the fragile peace process. The group’s appeal underscores the complex interplay between political negotiations, legal frameworks, and the Centre’s commitment to addressing the long-standing Naga issue.