Dimapur: The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Nagaland government met on Saturday at Rhododendron Hall in Chümoukedima under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to deliberate on the longstanding Naga political issue.
Addressing the media after the nearly three-hour meeting, Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang said discussions focused primarily on the Naga political issue, with an emphasis on intensifying efforts this year to achieve tangible outcomes. He clarified that while the deliberations were extensive, the committee did not adopt any resolution.
Zeliang underscored the need to create a common Naga platform, noting that several non-governmental organisations and civil society groups were currently fragmented and often voiced their positions independently on the issue. He stressed the importance of forming a single apex body that could represent the Naga people as a whole.
“While elected representatives function within the framework of the Constitution of India, civil society organisations should come together on a common platform so that only one body articulates the Naga position,” he said.
Referring to the proliferation of Naga political groups, Zeliang said this was precisely why the government was urging tribal bodies and civil society organisations to unite. He reiterated that there could not be multiple solutions to the Naga political issue and that all factions should be encouraged to come under one umbrella.
The deputy chief minister added that the objective was to bring Naga civil society together and facilitate dialogue among all Naga political groups through a common platform, with the aim of working towards a single, acceptable solution.
Also speaking to reporters, MLA Achumbemo Kikon said all PAC members had shared their views during the meeting and reiterated that the committee had decided not to pass any resolution at this stage.
However, Kikon said there was a shared understanding that the PAC would act as an active facilitator in pursuing a resolution to the Naga political issue. “We will rigorously pursue it because this responsibility has been entrusted to us,” he said, adding that the committee was committed to playing a proactive role in advancing the peace process.