Early resolution of the decades-old political issue continued to be the key agenda for 2014 in Nagaland, which also saw a mass movement against corruption, unabated taxation and border dispute with Assam.
Continuing its efforts towards peace and re-conciliation, Forum for Naga Re-conciliation (FNR) along with other civil society groups and churches tried to bring various Naga underground factions closer and got the support of the state government and political parties in its bid. The state government and the civil societies have been pressuring the Centre to expedite the Naga peace process and bring it to a logical conclusion.
Border tension between Assam and Nagaland claimed at least five lives.
The United Naga Tribes Association of Border Areas (UNTABA) raised a demand that recognised villages in the state along the Assam-Nagaland border be protected and that Naga settlements not be allowed to be disturbed by outsiders. UNTABA has been working towards protecting the interests of all Nagas sharing boundary with Assam.
The year began on a tragic note with the recovery of nine highly-decomposed bodies from a gorge in the Pachaspura area of Dimapur district. The bodies were later identified to be that of Karbi people from Assam who were blindfolded with hands tied and shot from close range.
Election to the lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland saw the then Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio(Naga People's Front) defeating KV Pusa of Congress. TR Zeliang succeeded Rio.
The dropping of five senior ministers from the new cabinet led to deepening of differences within the NPF MLAs to the extent that miscreants hurled bomb at the NPF office in Mokokchung division. However, the NPF-led DAN government under Zeliang continues to remain in power despite rumours of a split within the leadership for a change of guard.
June saw a major political development with three NCP MLAs - party president Imtilemba Sangtam, Parliamentary Secretary TM Lotha and Mmhonlumo Kikon - claiming to have merged with BJP. However, their claim was rejected by Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Chotisuh Sazo under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution leading to their disqualification from the 60-member House.
The trio took the matter to court and have managed to get a stay against the Speaker's decision. The matter is still pending in court.
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