NAGALAND: NAGA GROUPS TO SUSPEND PEACE

The working committee of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has decided to suspend the ongoing talks after an emergency meeting held in Kohima on 3rd June. The raid was carried out at the Jotsoma residence of V Nagi who is also the general secretary of NNC(NA).

The former rebel groups comprising the NNPGs are The Naga National Council (Parent Body), Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland/National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), National People’s Government of Nagaland (NPGN) of the NNC (NA), National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Reformation) and Naga National Council/Government Democratic Republic of Nagaland (NNC/GDRN) (NA).

The NNPGs working committee was formed in 2016 when all six groups signed a statement declaring that they have come together of their own volition to “chalk out the roadmap towards fulfilment of Naga political aspiration”.

They released a press statement condemning the raid carried out by Assam Rifles and police personnel Nagi’s residence at a time when the peace talks are on in New Delhi, terming the operation a ‘betrayal of trust’. They said the cordial atmosphere extended to the Naga political groups during talks in New Delhi is not good enough if the same courtesy could not be extended to them in Nagaland. The statement added that the peace talks will serve no further purpose now as any progress made seems to be a trivial matter for the Centre.

“The latest action of the Assam Rifles comes across as an insult to all section of Nagas who have come to trust the ongoing political talks between GoI and NNPGs,” the statement said.