Niki Sumi Highlights Importance of Naga Unity in Addressing Political Challenges

Niki Sumi of NSCN K stresses the importance of unity among Naga political parties and civil society to resolve the ongoing political issues. He calls for collaboration among key organisations and warns against government tactics that prolong the situation.

The Niki Sumi faction of the NSCN K has called for unity among Naga political parties and people to address the ongoing Naga political issue. Speaking at the Ceasefire Supervisory Board office, Niki Sumi expressed concern over divisions within Naga political groups. He emphasised that these divisions are not solely the fault of political entities but are also due to fragmentation within civil society.

He highlighted the need for unification among key organisations, including the United Naga Council (UNC) Manipur, Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO), and Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC). "The Government of India is playing a policy of prolonging the issue, thinking the Nagas will eventually tire out. But the Naga people are not fools. If the intention is merely to conclude the talks without a genuine solution, the Naga people are watching and will eventually understand the reality," he said.

Focus on Political Unity

Sumi criticised some tribal and political leaders for misleading people about their interactions with New Delhi. He claimed that many leaders who claim involvement in high-level meetings are influenced by Indian intelligence agencies to create discord. "Creating factions is not our goal. Naga intellectuals and the Naga political groups need to study this so that we don't end up like the movement in Punjab. If political parties become lethargic, a solution will not come," Sumi said.

The peace process remains stalled, with contrasting approaches from different groups. Sumi contrasted the Naga National Political Groups' (NNPG) approach with that of NSCN-IM’s Framework Agreement. He argued that NSCN-IM’s demands for a flag and constitution are contradictory without central government agreement on integrating Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam with Nagaland.

Negotiation Challenges

Sumi questioned how a flag or constitution could be meaningful without integration. "The reality is without integration, how will a flag or constitution cover the southern Nagas?" he asked. He doubted whether India would agree to alter state boundaries for integration. Without integration, he believes a flag and constitution hold no significance for them.

He also raised concerns about the Framework Agreement signed with the Centre on August 3, 2015, stating its contents remain unclear. On NNPGs, he added, "The NNPGs are saying: let us accept what is achievable now -- competencies -- and fight for the remaining rights democratically in the future," urging intellectuals and the public to read both agreements without emotion and accept reality.

Historical Context

The Centre and NSCN-IM entered into a ceasefire in 1997 to negotiate a political resolution to this long-standing conflict. After over 70 rounds of talks, they signed a Framework Agreement in 2015. However, NSCN-IM's demand for a separate flag and constitution has stalled progress as these demands remain unmet by the Centre.

In parallel negotiations, the Centre engaged with WC NNPGs—a coalition of seven Naga groups—in 2017, signing an Agreed Position that year. While WC NNPGs have shown readiness to accept feasible solutions while continuing discussions on other issues, NSCN-IM insists on a separate flag and constitution as prerequisites for any resolution.

Sumi’s remarks underscore an urgent call for resolving this decades-long conflict by prioritising immediate political settlement over prolonged ideological disputes. As peace talks remain delicate, his comments signal a push towards concluding this enduring issue.

With inputs from PTI