GPRN/NSCN (Unification) has accused Neiphiu Rio and the Naga People’s Front of mishandling the Naga peace process and undermining customary institutions.
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DIMAPUR — Accusing Nagaland government of overstepping its political limits, the GPRN/NSCN (Unification) on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the Naga People’s Front (NPF) leadership over their handling of the Indo-Naga peace process and engagement with tribal bodies.
In a strongly worded statement, the group led by Gen. (Retd.) MB Neokpao Konyak and Alezo Venuh questioned the “sincerity” of the chief minister and the state government, alleging that recent remarks made by Rio and minister G Kaito Aye were politically motivated attempts at “face-saving” rather than genuine engagement with Naga aspirations.
It maintained that Nagaland was founded on Naga customary institutions and traditions, and not merely on constitutional arrangements under the Indian Constitution.
It argued that no authority, including the state government or legislature, could supersede Naga customary laws, practices and jurisprudence.
According to the group, Naga customary institutions and sovereign village republics derive their authority independently and are meant to restrain arbitrary state action.
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It asserted that the powers of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and government cannot extend beyond what is permissible under Naga customary laws and practices.
The GPRN/NSCN (U) criticised what it described as attempts by ministers and political leaders to “dictate terms” to tribal bodies and gaon burahs (GBs), saying such actions crossed acceptable political and constitutional boundaries.
It further alleged that the NPF should have censured the minister concerned instead of defending the remarks as “misinterpretation”.
The group also accused the NPF of inconsistency, recalling the party’s alleged alignment with a Naga nationalist group during the 2017 Manipur Assembly election despite later claims that the Manipur unit functioned independently from the Nagaland unit.
Referring to a 2022 show-cause notice issued by the home commissioner to the president of NGBF, the group termed the move an “administrative overreach”, contending that the NGBF was not subordinate to the state government.
The group further argued that government assistance or ceremonial recognition extended to customary institutions did not amount to submission before bureaucratic or political authority.
It claimed that recent consultative meetings with tribal bodies appeared aimed at advancing the state government’s political agenda on the Naga issue.
Citing past developments in the peace process, the GPRN/NSCN (U) pointed to direct communication between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NGBF leaders, including assurances given in 2017 regarding an “inclusive and comprehensive” political settlement.
It also referred to the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015, and the government of India’s declaration on October 31, 2019, that the Naga peace talks had concluded.
In this context, the group questioned the state government’s push for the appointment of an interlocutor, arguing that a minister of state lacked the political stature to handle an issue of such “historic and national significance”.
It contrasted the present situation with former interlocutor RN Ravi, who held Cabinet rank during the negotiations.
The group further alleged that the downgrading of peace process reflected declining commitment from the government of India and criticised the state government for failing to preserve the political character of the talks.
Claiming that issues related to legislative structures and competencies had already been substantially resolved by 2019, the GPRN/NSCN (U) accused the NPF-led establishment of deliberately prolonging the political process to remain in power and delay a final accord between the government of India and Naga nationalist groups.