Kohima, Jan 24: The Nagaland government remains optimistic about resolving the long-standing Naga political issue in 2025. Senior Minister and government spokesperson K G Kenye expressed hope, stating, “We are keeping our fingers crossed,” as negotiations continue between the Centre and various Naga groups.

Kenye informed PTI that recent talks have been taking place, with Naga representatives traveling to Delhi for discussions with Union government officials. The latest consultative meeting between the state government and Naga civil society organizations occurred in September, and the Union government later invited them to Delhi for further talks. However, the outcome of these discussions has yet to be revealed.

Kenye also mentioned that A K Mishra, the Centre’s interlocutor, had visited NSCN-IM leader Th Muivah at his camp and held talks with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) about its demand for the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT), which includes six districts.

Addressing concerns over NSCN-IM leader Muivah’s threat to return to the jungles if no progress is made in the talks, Kenye downplayed the situation. He clarified that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah was to update him on public unrest regarding the issue and to assess the status of the negotiations.

Kenye stressed that there was no need for alarm, suggesting that Muivah’s statement could be a way to assert his position and attract attention to the matter.

The NSCN-IM has consistently argued that the 2015 framework agreement with the Centre is the “only acceptable basis” for resolving the Naga political issue. This agreement followed over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years, beginning with the ceasefire agreement in 1997 after decades of insurgency.

Alongside the framework agreement with NSCN-IM, the Centre signed an Agreed Position with the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) in December 2017. Despite these developments, a final solution remains elusive, primarily due to the government’s refusal to accept the NSCN-IM’s demands for a separate flag and constitution.