UKHRUL: The Global Naga Forum (GNF) has welcomed the Government of India’s appointment of retired IPS officer Ajit Lal, former Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), as the new interlocutor for the Indo-Naga political talks, expressing hope that the move will inject fresh momentum into the long-pending peace process.
The GNF also welcomed the Centre’s decision to include a Union Minister or a group of Union Ministers in the negotiation framework, stating that the initiative could help elevate the dialogue to a higher political level and create a conducive environment for an honourable, inclusive and lasting settlement.
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Recalling the consultative meeting organised by the Nagaland government on September 12, 2024, the GNF said around 45 organisations, including Naga civil society bodies, tribal hohos and other stakeholders, had collectively appealed to the Government of India to appoint a new interlocutor and elevate the Indo-Naga political dialogue to the highest political level.
The forum acknowledged the sustained efforts of Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio and his colleagues, Members of Parliament Phangnon Konyak and Supongmeren Jamir, along with tribal hohos, civil society organisations, mass-based organisations, church bodies, NGOs, student organisations, political parties and other stakeholders in pursuing the collective resolution.
According to the GNF, the appointment of Ajit Lal and the proposed inclusion of Union-level political representatives in the negotiation framework mark a significant development in the effort to advance the peace process.
The forum appealed to the NSCN/GPRN leadership and the Government of India to approach the negotiations with utmost seriousness, sincerity and urgency, noting that the Naga people have continued to await a lasting political settlement nearly three decades after the commencement of negotiations.
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“The Naga people deserve peace, dignity and an early political solution,” the GNF stated, expressing hope that the Indo-Naga peace process would become an example of resolving a protracted armed conflict through dialogue rather than confrontation, reason rather than conflict, and peace rather than violence.
The GNF further urged the leadership on both sides to rise to what it described as a historic responsibility and work towards a settlement that would be remembered as a testament to collective wisdom, statesmanship and courage in addressing the Naga people’s nearly century-old political struggle.
