UNC Lauds 22 MPs’ Concern on Naga Peace Talks

Ukhrul, Feb 24: The United Naga Council has expressed its sincere appreciation to the 22 Members of Parliament (MPs) from across the parties who recently submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the Government of India to expedite the Indo-Naga peace process in the right earnest.

The council stated it took deep cognizance over the exceptional political stance of the Indian lawmakers amid chronic political ailments of betrayal and deceit at peak, portraying a misplaced conduct of the Indo-Naga peace process by the Indian leaders in the helms. Such courageous gestures can only be expected from the leaders and their associating organizations whose philosophy and principles are founded upon the true spirit of democracy that embraces universal human rights and rights of the people irrespective of size, color, etc.

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“The 3rd August of 2025 will be the 10th Anniversary of the signing of the historic Framework Agreement between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) at the official residence of the Prime Minister in New Delhi, the UNC said. It also stated that when the Framework Agreement was signed in 2015, the Naga People wholeheartedly welcomed the Agreement as it gave the Nagas high hope believing that the Government of India, under the dynamic leadership of Modiji, would usher in a new paradigm shift and historic changes toward a logical roadmap for the Indo-Naga issue final settlement. The visionary speech that was delivered by the Prime Minister before the worldwide audience during the signing ceremony is still cherished and remains close to the hearts of the Naga people, it added.

Emphasizing further, the UNC stated that the Naga people from entire Naga areas comprising all the Tribe Hohos, Apex Civil Society Organisations – Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Mother’s Association, Eastern Naga Peoples’ Organization, and United Naga Council; and Church leaders have unanimously given their mandate to the NSCN to negotiate with the Government of India for bringing an honorable, inclusive, and acceptable solution on January 21, 2005 at Hebron Camp, Dimapur. Indeed, the Naga people have been eagerly waiting for a wholesome and inclusive political solution for the entire Nagas living in contiguous Naga areas.

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“To our dismay, 9 years have gone and the Framework Agreement is in peril due to a lack of political will from the GoI. We feel the letter and spirit of the historic Framework Agreement and the vision of Modiji for a peaceful and honorable political settlement with the Nagas is not visible in the Gol’s representative at the negotiation table. This impression has led the Nagas to doubt the sincerity of the Government of India and raises million-dollar questions over the commitment of GoI,” the apex Naga body stated.

UNC wholeheartedly applauded the 22 honorable MPs for raising the Naga peace process in the Parliament on February 3, 2025, and for their support of the Framework Agreement between GoI and NSCN. Further, it appreciated their insightful intervention to expedite the process as of national importance in the parliament and underscoring the appointment of a full-time interlocutor and the participation of elected representatives for meaningful engagement in the negotiation to achieve an early settlement to the long-standing political conflict in the sub-continent. This rare goodwill gesture from Indian leaders is noteworthy in history and a ray of hope indeed, amidst all uncertainties, it added.

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Whilst placing our fullest confidence in both the leaders of the negotiating parties, GoI and NSCN, the Naga people pray that, the leaders in the helms of the mighty India be magnanimous enough to resolve the Indo-Naga issue with respect and honor, the UNC concluded.