Interlocutor A.K. Mishra’s closed-door talks with top Naga leaders at Camp Hebron mark a significant breakthrough in efforts to merge the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position.
BY PC Bureau
In what appears to be a determined effort to restore lasting peace across the Northeast, after the Ministry of Home Affairs resumed high-level negotiations with Manipur’s multiple insurgent groups that have signed Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with the Centre, the Home Ministry’s outreach now includes the revival of the stalled Naga peace talks.
Mishra, who arrived on June 10, met representatives from the NSCN (Isak-Muivah), both the Neokpao- and Kitovi-led Working Committees of the NNPGs, and the NSCN/GPRN (Niki group) at Police Complex, Chümoukedima, the headquarters of Nagaland Police. The day before, he also held a closed-door meeting with an eight-member NSCN (I-M) team led by deputy Ato Kilonser V.S. Atem.
‘Final Execution Plan in the Works,’ Says Isak Sumi
Following the dialogue, NSCN/GPRN (K) Ato Kilonser (Retd.) Col. Isak Sumi said that concerted efforts were now underway to draft a comprehensive execution plan for an inclusive solution. “We are working to finalize the roadmap that can accommodate all stakeholders,” he told reporters.
He acknowledged the growing frustration among the Naga people, who have been waiting in uncertainty for decades. “Prolonged delay has created deep disillusionment. We accept responsibility for our past mistakes,” he said.
Sumi admitted that internal divisions, group-centric politics, and public blame games had obstructed progress. “We Nagas have spent too long justifying ourselves and sidelining the collective good,” he said, adding, “People are justified in questioning the credibility of political groups and their leaders.”
Despite the complexities — from the geographic spread of Naga-inhabited areas to concerns of affected states — Sumi emphasized that NPGs are actively coordinating with civil society groups, tribal leaders, and New Delhi to move the process forward.
“We’ve shifted from debating frameworks to building consensus. The aim now is to create a common platform where everyone has a voice—not under one leadership, but united in vision,” he noted.
Beyond Frameworks and Agreements
When asked about the status of the Framework Agreement (NSCN-IM) and the Agreed Position (NNPGs), Sumi was clear: “We’ve moved beyond those documents. The real task is to build a workable, inclusive execution plan.”
He also addressed concerns over persistent disunity among groups, saying, “The rhetoric of unity must now translate into action. The people have every right to hold us accountable.”
Citing the Council of Naga Relationships and Cooperation (CNRC), formed under the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, he called for renewed efforts toward healing and dialogue. “Let us remain hopeful. When the Centre signals the final solution, unity will follow,” he said.
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Agreements Serve the Same Goal,’ Say NSCN-R Leaders
NSCN/GPRN (R) Ato Kilonser Tikhak Naga clarified that their involvement was not about claiming the Agreed Position, but about pushing for a political resolution. NSCN/GPRN (R) President R. Wangtin Naga echoed this, saying, “Both the Agreed Position and the Framework Agreement aim for the same goal. In time, they will converge into one solution.”
He emphasized that the agreements do not belong to individual leaders. “The Agreed Position belongs to the Naga people—not to Neokpao Konyak or N. Kitovi Zhimomi,” he stated.
C. Singson, a member of the Collective Leadership of NSCN (Unification), described the internal split within the NNPGs as a “manmade” problem. “We created this division, and we must also be the ones to heal it,” he said.
He added that the Centre is more concerned about whether all groups are engaged, rather than who leads what faction. “Only when we unite can we question the Government of India’s position with moral authority,” he said. He called the talks with Mishra “very fruitful” and noted that the “ball is now in the court of the Nagas.”
AK MISHRA HOLDS CRUCIAL MEETING NNPGS ON NAGA POLITICAL ISSUE
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO https://t.co/wl5lUMeJBz pic.twitter.com/BZeNZ8Q2KN
— Nagaland Tv (@NewsNltv) June 11, 2025
Kitovi-Led WC-NNPGs Reiterate Support for Inclusive Solution
Leaders from the Kitovi-led faction of WC-NNPGs also met Mishra on Wednesday, including representatives from four recently merged groups.
G. Naga, secretary of the WC-NNPGs and supervisor of the Ceasefire Supervisory Board at the GPRN/NSCN (Khehoi) camp, described the meeting as “productive.” He reaffirmed the collective commitment to an “early, honourable, and inclusive solution.”
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Commenting on the factional split within the NNPGs, G. Naga termed it a “family matter,” expressing confidence that differences can be resolved internally. “We are all working toward the same political goal,” he said, inviting all NNPG members to the table.
NSCN/GPRN-R (Akato) President Akato Chophi added that while disagreements may arise, they are part of any negotiation process. “What matters is that we remain committed to a solution,” he said.
