Kohima, Jan 29: Regional political parties of Nagaland issued a joint declaration on Monday, announcing their decision to boycott the upcoming assembly elections scheduled on February 27. The parties demanded the central government to find a lasting solution to the Naga peace process, before proceeding with the legislative polls.

The joint declaration by the Naga parties came a day after the largest rebel group -- the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) -- which entered into negotiations with the Centre in 2015, appealed the regional parties to ensure "a solution, before the election".

The statement released by the NSCN(IM) on Sunday was supported by at least six major Naga tribal civil society groups.

“When Naga people as a whole have made the collective decision to forgo election, we caution vested interest and unscrupulous persons not to sabotage the historical processes of negotiations by filing nominations and indulging in election process," the statement said, demanding the political parties to not to announce any of their candidates for the upcoming polls.

The elections for the 60-member Nagaland legislative assembly was slated for February 27, with the counting of votes scheduled on March 3.

Nagaland Chief Minister and leader of the NPF -- the single-largest party in the incumbent assembly, T R Zeliang on Sunday said he would support the boycott call if all parties adhere to it.

The Naga Peace Process

Initiated in 2015, the talks were being held between the Centre and a clutch of separatist outfits led by the NSCN(IM). On behalf of the central government, the negotiations were led by former IB chief Dineshwar Sharma, who has recently been announced as the Centre's Special Representative in Jammu & Kashmir.

The resolution talks between the Naga insurgents and the central government was the culmination of a series of backchannel communication since 1997, when the NSCN(IM) signed a ceasefire with India.

According to reports, the broad understanding reached between the two sides rest on the acceptance of Nagaland's "special status" and "unique culture", while the separatist groups have agreed to accept the supremacy of India's constitution.

Although the details of the peace process are yet to be made public, reports claim that the point of contention remains Nagalim -- or the Greater Nagaland sought by the erstwhile separatist outfits -- which could include parts of the neighbouring northeastern states.

A row has been kicked off in Assam's Dima Hasao district, bordering Nagaland, after a self-proclaimed RSS functionary Jagdamba Pal told a digital news portal that Dima Hasao would be part of Nagalim as per the peace talks underway between the Centre and the NSCN(IM). The tribals of Dima Hasao have raised apprehensions over the remarks of Pal, demanding the state and central government to issue a clarification.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 29, 2018 05:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).