The Centre is considering appointing a Minister of State for Home Affairs to lead the upcoming phase of the Naga peace discussions. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of Nagaland recently visited New Delhi, meeting with key Union leaders including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Discussions revolved around the need for high-level talks and the appointment of an interlocutor to hasten the resolution of the Naga political matter.
In line with resolutions from a previous meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of resuming talks at a senior political level. The Union Home Minister responded positively, suggesting the appointment of a Minister of State for Home Affairs and the involvement of Ministry of Home Affairs officials in the Naga peace process. A.K. Mishra, the current Adviser to the MHA on Northeast Affairs, is currently engaging with various Naga groups on behalf of the Centre.
During the discussions, Chief Minister Rio also raised concerns about the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in Nagaland and requested relaxation of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border. The Nagaland Cabinet has been actively pursuing the issue, seeking a complete relaxation of the PAP in the state. The Union Home Minister has assured a positive consideration of these requests by the Home Ministry.
Chief Minister Rio has been actively corresponding with the Centre, urging a review of the PAP regime re-imposition in Nagaland. The PAP, enforced in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram, regulates the entry of foreign nationals into specific areas. Additionally, concerns were raised about the impact of revised FMR guidelines on border communities, with requests for a more flexible approach balancing national security with traditional rights and livelihoods.
