Border Concerns: The NPF strongly opposes fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border, arguing it disrupts traditional ties and negatively impacts border communities.
BY PC Bureau
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has called for an expedited resolution to the Indo-Naga peace process while opposing the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur. These key resolutions were passed during the NPF Central Office Bearers’ consultative meeting held at the party’s central office in Kohima on February 13.
The NPF appealed to both the Government of India and Naga national workers to accelerate peace talks and arrive at an inclusive, honorable, and acceptable solution. The party also urged Naga national workers to unite and work collectively toward the common cause of the Naga people.
Holding five seats in the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly, the NPF was a crucial ally of the BJP-led government. Despite political challenges, the party reaffirmed its commitment to the NDA alliance but expressed concerns over a lack of proper consultation on key policy matters. The NPF called for a review of coalition functioning to maintain the spirit of partnership.
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Opposing the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, the NPF instead urged for the swift restoration of a democratically elected government. The party also demanded that all five NPF MLAs be accommodated in the new BJP-led NDA government, emphasizing its longstanding role as a trusted coalition partner since 2017.
Cry for restoration of FMR (Free Movement Regime) and opposing border fencing in and around Naga ancestral territory.
Courtesy: image#CNPO pic.twitter.com/WrQKu25VG5
— Aran Shimray (@shimray2011) February 12, 2025
The NPF strongly opposed the Central Government’s decision to construct border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border, describing it as an “imaginary” demarcation that disrupts traditional ties. The party urged authorities to reconsider sealing the border and to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR), citing its negative impact on communities living on both sides.
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NSCN-IM’s Renewed Push for Framework Agreement
Meanwhile, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has reiterated the urgency of implementing the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015. In a press release on February 12, the NSCN-IM warned that delays in resolving the Indo-Naga issue could destabilize the region.
The NSCN-IM recalled how the signing of the Framework Agreement had raised expectations and opened new political horizons for the Naga people. The group criticized the prolonged delay—now exceeding 27 years—as a sign of insincerity on the Indian government’s part.
Expressing gratitude to 21 Members of Parliament who recently sought clarity on the stalled Naga peace talks, the NSCN-IM urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to uphold his 2015 commitment to resolving the Naga issue. The group also dismissed comparisons between the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position signed with the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPGs), arguing that the latter merely reiterated provisions under Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.
Furthermore, the NSCN-IM emphasized that Naga political groups under the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) have reaffirmed their commitment to the historical and political rights of the Nagas. The group also criticized certain Naga representatives in Parliament for downplaying the significance of the Naga political issue.
As discussions surrounding the Indo-Naga peace process continue, both the NPF and NSCN-IM have reinforced their calls for a meaningful resolution that upholds Naga identity and aspirations.
