Naga Youth Movement meets Governor, seeks roadmap for peace settlement

The Naga Youth Movement (NYM) met Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav at Lok Bhavan in Kohima on Monday and pressed again for an early and honourable settlement of the Naga political issue, Hub News reported.

The meeting came after weeks of friction between the group and Lok Bhavan over appointments, and nearly four weeks after the deadline the movement had set for the Centre expired.

What the group wants

The NYM wants clarity on the status of the two agreements at the heart of the Naga peace process: the 2015 Framework Agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM), and the 2017 Agreed Position signed with the Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs). It has called for a time-bound roadmap to bring the long-running negotiations to a conclusion.

In an earlier representation, the group also proposed a round-table meeting of Naga political groups and other stakeholders to work towards a comprehensive settlement.

A missed deadline

The movement, which began as "Fed-Up Nagas" before taking its current name, submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Governor's office, seeking his intervention and setting a three-month deadline for a political settlement. That deadline ran out on October 8 with no response, the group has said.

On October 13, NYM members went to Kohima expecting to meet the Governor, but said they were told he would not see them. Eastern Mirror reported that the group said an appointment fixed for October 10 had been cancelled, and its members then called for the Governor's resignation outside Lok Bhavan. The same day, the NYM submitted another representation.

The group later announced a public gathering at Lok Bhavan on October 28 to press its demands, but called it off. The Kohima district administration had restricted gatherings around Lok Bhavan ahead of the planned protest.

Why it matters

The Naga talks have dragged on for more than a decade since the 2015 Framework Agreement, with the NSCN (IM) insisting on a separate flag and constitution, a demand the Centre has not accepted. The NNPGs have said they are ready to sign a settlement based on the 2017 Agreed Position.

The NYM's campaign reflects growing impatience among young Nagas over the lack of a final deal. Neither Lok Bhavan nor the Centre had issued any public statement on Monday's meeting at the time of writing.