KOHIMA, Oct 30: The Nagaland Assembly has reiterated its commitment to advocating for the administrative integration of contiguous areas inhabited by Naga people. During the assembly’s 60th anniversary celebration, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio underscored this initiative as a critical element of the larger Naga political movement, stemming from the 16-point agreement that established Nagaland in 1963.
Rio pointed out that the assembly has passed six resolutions supporting this integration since 1964, with the most recent resolution adopted in 2018. He emphasized the importance of these resolutions in fostering unity and solidarity among the Naga community.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the contributions of the Nagaland Legislators’ Forum in facilitating ongoing peace negotiations. He noted that the assembly has operated without formal opposition since 2018, promoting a collaborative approach to the Naga political issue.
Currently, discussions between the Central Government and various Naga groups, including the NSCN-IM and the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC NNPGs), have made limited progress. A key point of contention remains the NSCN-IM’s demand for a separate flag and constitution, which has not yet been accepted by the Central Government. Meanwhile, the WC NNPGs have expressed a willingness to negotiate additional demands, reflecting the complexities of the ongoing discussions.
