Kohima, Dec 16: The Niki Sumi faction of the NSCN (K) has called for unity among Naga political parties, civil society, and frontal organizations to break the ongoing impasse in the Naga political issue.

Speaking to the media at the Ceasefire Supervisory Board office on Monday, Niki Sumi expressed concern over deepening divisions within the Naga community. He said, “If civil society splits along tribal or village lines, factions multiply. The blame isn’t just on Naga political groups—divided society fuels this.”

Sumi emphasized the need for unification of key apex bodies, including the United Naga Council (UNC) in Manipur, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), and the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC).

He criticized the Centre for delays in the peace process, warning that attempts to conclude talks without delivering real solutions would not be accepted by the Naga people. Sumi also alleged that some tribal and political leaders were being influenced by Indian intelligence to create discord.

Comparing the approaches of different Naga groups, he highlighted the NSCN-IM’s demand for a separate flag and constitution, questioning its feasibility without the integration of Naga areas in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam with Nagaland. “Without integration, how will a flag or constitution cover southern Nagas? Will the Centre redraw Manipur or Arunachal borders?” he asked.

Sumi called for a pragmatic approach, supporting the NNPG’s Agreed Position of accepting achievable competencies now and pursuing remaining rights through democratic means later. He urged intellectuals and the public to evaluate both the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position objectively.

The Centre’s ceasefire with NSCN-IM began in 1997, leading to over 70 rounds of talks and the signing of the Framework Agreement. Parallel discussions with the WC NNPGs in 2017 produced the Agreed Position, which emphasizes a more pragmatic resolution.