WC-NNPG accuses NPF of undermining the Indo-Naga solution and rejects the June 11 oil exploration pact.
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DIMAPUR — The Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) has accused the Naga People’s Front (NPF) leadership of sabotaging the Indo-Naga political solution, while also rejecting the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) on oil exploration signed by the governments of Nagaland and Assam with the Union Ministry of Petroleum.
In a statement, the WC-NNPG alleged that although the NPF claims to be a facilitator of the peace process, it has consistently acted against the interests of the negotiations initiated by the government of India.
According to the committee, the BJP-led central government had demonstrated its commitment to resolving the Naga political issue through the 2015 Framework Agreement with the NSCN (IM) and the 2017 Agreed Position signed with the NNPGs, which it described as milestones in the peace process.
It accused the NPF leadership of opposing key developments, including allegedly discouraging members of Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation from meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017 and campaigning for the removal of former interlocutor RN Ravi, describing both as acts that weakened the peace process.
The committee further criticised recent demands for the appointment of a political figure to lead the negotiations, arguing that the talks had already concluded and that former and current government of India representatives had been entrusted by the Centre to carry the process forward.
It also defended the emergence of the "Fed-up Nagas" movement, saying unemployed and frustrated youth had every right to voice their concerns and accusing some legislators of mocking their grievances instead of addressing them.
Rejecting the June 11 MoU on oil exploration on Nagaland-Assam border, the WC-NNPG maintained that oil and other natural resources remain part of the negotiated political settlement and that no government or agency has been authorised by the Naga political negotiators to enter into such agreements.
It asserted that extraction of petroleum resources could commence only after an acceptable political solution is reached and claimed that issues relating to the Disturbed Area Belt and the Nagaland-Assam boundary should first be resolved in accordance with the Agreed Position.
The committee warned that attempts to implement the MoU before a political settlement would amount to undermining the Naga political process and said such initiatives would face opposition.
The WC-NNPG also called upon the BJP leadership in Nagaland, a partner in the opposition-less government, to uphold the Centre's stated commitment to an honourable political solution and place Naga interests above political considerations.