NEW DELHI, Nov 10: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for its handling of the Naga peace process, particularly following recent remarks by Th. Muivah, the general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM). In a post on X, Ramesh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of making false promises about the Naga peace process, pointing to the lack of progress since the signing of the Framework Agreement in 2015.
Ramesh referred to Modi’s August 3, 2015, statement in which he had called the Framework Agreement a “game-changer” for the Northeast. However, nearly nine years later, Ramesh argued that the specifics of the agreement remain unclear, stating, “On Aug 3, 2015, the non-biological PM boasted about this being a game-changer that would transform the NE. Nine years later, we still are in the dark regarding details of the agreement. And now this Bluff and Rule is the Modi hallmark.”
Ramesh’s remarks come after a new statement by NSCN-IM’s Chief Political Negotiator, Th. Muivah, in which the group threatened to “resume violent armed resistance against India” unless the Centre allows third-party intervention to help resolve the Naga issue. The statement also reiterated the long-standing demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas. Muivah emphasized that these demands are in line with the 2015 Framework Agreement, which the NSCN-IM wants to be implemented in its entirety.
According to NELive, the Centre has acknowledged Muivah’s remarks but is reportedly open to continuing negotiations with the group. Sources indicated that while the demand for a separate flag and constitution is not new, the call for third-party intervention is a key new emphasis in the recent statement. The Centre’s stance is to keep the door open for talks, despite the persistent demands from NSCN-IM.
The Naga peace process has been a contentious issue for several years, with the NSCN-IM demanding greater autonomy for Nagas, including political recognition and territorial control. The 2015 Framework Agreement was meant to address these concerns but has failed to lead to a comprehensive solution.
