WC-NNPG urges FNR, Sumi Hoho to defer Zunheboto meet for wider dialogue

DIMAPUR — The Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) has appealed to the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and the Sumi Hoho to defer the planned Zunheboto meeting by a week or two in order to enable broader participation from civil society stakeholders.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the committee maintained that from the Covenant of Reconciliation (CoR) signed in March 2009 to the Lenten Agreement of 2014, the FNR under Rev. Dr. Wati Aier had ignited genuine hope for unity among the Nagas.

However, it stated that the live TV broadcast of Framework Agreement (FA) on August 3, 2015, marked a turning point, with NSCN (IM) allegedly using reconciliatory documents as political tools to strike an exclusive deal with the government of India.

According to WC-NNPG, the move sidelined apex tribal hohos, village chiefs, custodians of customary laws, and civil societies.

The FNR, it suggested, remained silent in the aftermath, neither ‘applauding nor rebuking’ the development.

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For several years thereafter, the committee stated, the FNR went “dormant and incognito,” leaving other civil society groups such as the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC), GB Federation, CNTC, Nagaland Joint Christian Forum, mothers’ organisations, Senior Citizens Forum, CNCCI and ex-parliamentarians to critically engage with New Delhi on the Naga issue.

The WC-NNPG claimed that these bodies recognised the impractical nature of the FA. “Somewhere the GoI too felt it had been ill-advised on the Naga matter,” the statement read.

Subsequently, delegations from NTC and NGBF had directly met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017 to present their assessments.

“WC is grateful that FNR has returned after a long hiatus, continuing the journey of common hope with renewed vigour, and this is duly appreciated,” it stated—noting that it was followed in January 2023 by a joint declaration between WC-NNPG and NSCN (IM) leaders, committing to unconditional collaboration.

However, within days, the NSCN (IM)’s MIP repudiated the statement, once again leaving FNR’s role ambiguous as it neither ‘applauded nor rebuked’ the development.

Most recently, NSCN (IM) chairman Q Tuccu, in a statement issued on August 3, 2025, dismissed cooperation with NNPGs as “dangerous,” insisting the FA and Agreed Position were “poles apart.” The WC noted that FNR again had neither ‘applauded nor rebuked’ it.

Highlighting the current situation, the WC-NNPG argued that despite the existence of more than 20 political groups, the reality is clear: there are only two Naga political groups—those committed to an honourable Indo-Naga political solution and those seeking to prolong conflict for personal gain through “taxation” in the name of the cause.

“The problem is now between the government of India and anti-solution elements, not between the GoI and Nagas or WC-NNPG,” it stated, stressing that political talks had concluded and two agreements lay before New Delhi for a comprehensive solution.

In this context, the committee suggested that the upcoming FNR’s Zunheboto meet, hosted by the Sumi Hoho, be transformed into a pathbreaking and inclusive gathering by inviting all apex tribal bodies, ENPO, NTC, CNTC, Naga Hoho, church organisations, mothers’ groups, intellectual circles, student unions, and senior citizens.

Reiterating its willingness to participate, the WC-NNPG maintained that entrusting reconciliation to “a single individual or a few members” risked stagnation at this critical juncture. The principle of the CoR and the “Journey of Common Hope,” it stated, must extend beyond political groups to encompass civil societies as well.

“We are undeterred despite the habitual backtracking antics. WC-NNPG believes it is in the best interest of Nagas that the journey goes on with all stakeholders with shared responsibilities to take strong decisions,” it stated.