NGBF says November 18 rally aims to provide common platform for Naga political solution

DIMAPUR — Faced with snubs from certain quarters, the organising committee of the Naga Common Platform explained its reasons for convening a united public platform while addressing the media on Monday at Premier Lodge, 4th Mile, Chümoukedima.

According to the Convener of NGBF Peace Committee, Shikuto Zalipu, the Nagaland Gaonburas Federation (NGBF) is spearheading the initiative, as it wants peace in villages, colonies and the state.

He said that the federation has been persistently appealing to the authorities, the political groups and the government of India for an early resolution.

Consequently, the committee had convened a consultation meeting with several Naga civil society organisations on March 20, 2025, at Tourist Lodge.

Representatives from multiple organisations, including Tirap Changlang Longding Public Forum (TCLPF), Arunachal Nagas, Rengma–Zeliangrong Joint Council (RZJC) Assam and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), attended the meeting.

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That day, they adopted three resolutions: that the NGBF Peace Committee would take forward necessary initiatives along with civil bodies and Naga leaders for cohesive action; that the Centre should prepare a common draft by converging the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position into a single document; and that the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum should organise a day of fasting and prayer for an early solution.

Zalipu said the NGBF is only providing a common platform and recognises its limitations, adding that it supports the efforts of the FNR. He said some groups may have misunderstood the federation's initiative as running parallel to that of the FNR.

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He said the rally is for those who want a solution, adding that those who wish to see the negotiations continue indefinitely will not attend.

When asked if the demand was limited to Nagas of Nagaland, he said they are only seeking implementation of the two signed agreements.

NGBF advisor Vikuto Zhimomi recalled that earlier factional rivalries led to violence among Naga groups. He said civil society bodies, the government of India and the state government could not stop the killings at the time, which led to a consultative meeting in Kohima.

The GBs and Dobashis then formed the Joint Forum of Nagaland GBs and DBs and held a meeting with members of the four factions at the Red Cross Society in Kohima. He said 30 kilonsers from the groups pledged to maintain peace, and factional violence ended thereafter.

He said the credit does not belong to any single organisation but to all Nagas.

Zhimomi added that while Nagas have long demanded an early solution, there has never been a common platform to voice it collectively.

Therefore, he urged individuals and civil society groups to come forward, raise their voices for an early resolution, and appeal to both the government of India and the Naga groups to bring about an early solution.

Committee member Theja Therieh said there are misunderstandings and “many elements moving around”, but the organisers remain committed.

He expressed hope that the rally will mark a significant moment, saying people want peace regardless of political or tribal differences. He said agreement must be brought to a “logical conclusion”, adding that negotiations cannot continue indefinitely.

He said the rally aims to prepare the “landing ground” by preparing public opinion so that a solution is accepted when it comes.

Naga Hoho president Sulathung Lotha said a trust deficit exists within Naga society because of ego issues and urged the community to examine the root causes.

Committee member Z Lohe said the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position are now ten and eight years old, respectively, and citizens are being affected by the prolonged ceasefire and negotiations. He said these processes cannot continue indefinitely and warned that delays will have consequences.

Lohe said some groups have expressed apprehension about the November 18 platform but maintained that the organisers have no hidden agenda.

Responding to queries, Senior Citizens’ Association of Nagaland (SCAN) president and spokesperson KK Sema said the initial plan was to invite the Naga political groups, but since the groups had already signed two agreements, they advised the organisers to instead convey the views of the people to the government of India. As a result, the invitation to the political groups was withdrawn.

 Sema said the platform is open to all tribes, and all GBs have been asked to attend regardless of their respective hohos’ positions. He said Naga groups from outside Nagaland have also been invited.

On ideological differences, Sema said ego problems have become a major concern. He alleged that while claiming to want a solution, the chief minister “controls the tribal hohos like a puppet master” when people attempt to initiate a collective movement. If the chief minister were to ask for cooperation, all tribal hohos would comply, he maintained.

On the Nagaland Tribal Hohos Coordination Committee’s advisory against attending the rally, Sulathung Lotha said the committee has no clear roadmap and claimed that those “behind the script” would eventually be exposed. He said they stand for the common cause and not any particular tribe or group.