Kohima: Three Naga groups have joined forces to collectively address the longstanding Naga Political Issue in discussions with the Central government,as per reports on December 31. Leaders representing the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) under Akato Chophy, NSCN-K led by Khango, and the Naga National Council (NNC) led by Z Royim convened and agreed on this important decision during a meeting held recently.

Expressing their commitment, Akato Chophy said, "The three groups have come together to have a joint political venture in 2024." Speaking to journalists after the meeting, he highlighted the collaborative approach, stating, “We have made separate approaches in the past but now we will make a joint effort on the Naga issue.”

When asked about initiating dialogue with the Centre, Akato mentioned, "We have made separate approaches in the past but now we will make a joint effort on the Naga issue." He clarified their intent to engage in distinct discussions, separate from the ongoing negotiations involving the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPGs).

Acknowledging the exclusion of certain Naga groups from the WC-NNPGs, Akato expressed openness, stating, The three groups welcome ‘like-minded’ organisations to join them for the cause of Nagas.Further underlining the absence of a collective label for the three collaborating groups, he confirmed their intention to approach the Centre for political talks.

The Naga Political issue stands as one of the lengthiest insurgencies in the country. Notably, the Centre has been engaged in separate negotiations with NSCN-IM since 1997 and with WC NNPGs since 2017. Despite the Framework Agreement with NSCN-IM in 2015 and the Agreed Position with WC NNPGs in 2017, substantive progress remains elusive as reports state.

NSCN-IM persists in its demands for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas, along with the integration of Naga-inhabited regions spanning across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, and Myanmar. In contrast, the WC of NNPGs has signalled willingness to accept present concessions and continue discussions.

Presently, there hasn't been any noteworthy development in the political negotiations between the Central government and the Naga groups. However, the unification of these three groups signifies a potential shift . Additionally on Dec 29 Centre and the Assam government  has achieved a major breakthrough in which it signed a Peace deal with ULFA to disband the organisation and to resolve the decade long insurgency that persisted in Assam.