Nagaland Assembly adopts resolution seeking 'one solution' to long Naga conflict

Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Thursday adopted four resolutions that included an appeal for finding "one solution" to the decades-long Naga conflict.

A statement issued by Nagaland government said that the Assembly took a resolution to appeal to the Centre and the Naga political groups to sit in talks for conclusion of the political negotiation that is "honourable, inclusive and acceptable" to the people as “One Solution” without any further delay.

The move assumes significance given the fact that the Centre signed a framework agreement with NSCN (IM) in 2015 and another agreement in 2017 with Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), a forum of seven other rebel groups. It is expected that the Centre would sign the final agreement soon.

Doubts about the final agreement persist as NSCN (IM), the insurgent group, which is in ceasefire since 1997, is bent on its demand for recognition to a seperate flag and Constitution for the Nagas in the final agreement. The demand, however, was turned down by the Centre's interlocutor and Nagaland Governor R. N. Ravi. The NNPGs, on the other hand, is ready to sign the final agreement and is in favour of further talks to resolve other issues.

This raised speculation that the Centre may sign a final agreement with NNPGs without waiting for the NSCN-IM.

The Assembly also appreciated the efforts made by the Centre to resolve the Indo-Naga political issue through peaceful means by upholding the Naga political talks. "Further, the August House acknowledged and appreciated the efforts made by all Naga political groups, political parties, civil society organization, the churches and NGO's towards finding a peaceful resolution of the Indo-Naga political issues and appealed all to come together for larger interest of the Naga people," the statement said.

Naga groups including NSCN-IM claim that Nagas were never part of India and have been fighting an armed battle since Independence.