Spotlight
New Delhi,
10 November 2019
Naga Peace Talks
IT’S HOPE Vs HURDLES
By Sagarneel Sinha
Anxiety is
refusing to die down among the people of Nagaland, as the peace deal to the
Naga problem still remains inconclusive. Naga insurgency is often described as
the oldest in India. Although the Naga separatist movement dates back to the British
period, the State has witnessed bloodshed that mostly started in the mid 1950s,
when the secessionist movement under Naga National Council (NNC) led by
hardliner leader A.Z. Phizo turned
violent, battling against the Indian state. At times, there were many
peace deals between the various Naga rebel groups and the Centre and 1975 Shillong
Peace Accord is one. However, due to differences within the Naga rebel groups,
every time a peace deal was signed, one or some other group emerged to oppose
it, thus negating effects of the peace deals signed earlier.
Another
peace deal was to be signed on October 31 between the Centre and Naga groups
that included the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah)-(NSCN-IM).
However, the deadline was given a miss. The insurgent group NSCN-IM, which was
formed in 1980 by Nagaland born Isak-Swu and Manipur born Th. Muivah, has been
involved in peace talks with the government of India since 1997, when it signed
a ceasefire agreement. However, the other faction, NSCN-Khaplang formed by
Myanmar born SS Khaplang has refused to join these efforts and is a big
insurgent group. Presently, only Muivah is alive as both Isak and Khaplang
passed away in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
The
October 31 date was set by the Centre after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
return to power with a huge mandate. To fasten the process, Modi dispensation
also appointed the government’s interlocutor for Naga peace talks N Ravi, as Governor
of the State. However, NSCN-IM’s demand for a shared sovereignty with a
separate Naga constitution and Naga flag emerged as a deadlock for the peace
talks. Especially, by modifying Article 370 of erstwhile State of Jammu and
Kashmir that had the provision of a separate Constitution and State flag, Modi
government has already made its stand clear that there will be one Constitution
and one flag across the country.
Obviously,
no doubt there is a shadow of Kashmir on the Naga Peace talks with the Modi
government being adamant on its stand. Apart from that, Modi government's
urgency to pull off a historical achievement seems to have also worked against
bringing a lasting solution to the decades’ old insurgency.
It must be
noted that NSCN-IM and the GoI led by Modi had signed a historic framework
agreement in 2015 that sought to end the insurgency for restoring peace and
paving the way for prosperity in the northeast. However, the government hasn’t
shared the details of the framework despite calls from various quarters. The
dispensation has maintained that since the peace talks are on, it would not be
right to share the details in public. Although, later Ravi had said that
NSCN-IM signed the framework “by giving up the demand of Naga sovereignty and
agreeing for a settlement within the Indian federation”.
Apart from
a separate Naga constitution and Naga flag, NSCN-IM also wanted a greater
Nagalim -- much bigger in size than the present Nagaland comprising the Naga
inhabited areas of neighbouring States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.
This demand has only extended the issue beyond the borders of Nagaland. The
three neighbouring States have clearly stated the Naga peace deal shouldn't be
at the cost of their territorial integrity. Particularly, the Meiteis of
Manipur are concerned about it. The hills of the State are inhabited by Nagas,
while the plains by the Meiteis, who often keep demanding for Inner Line Permit
in the State. However, besides Nagas, Kukis too reside in the hills of Manipur.
So, the
demand for greater Nagalim is far away from ground realities and NSCN-IM too
now has softened its stand over the issue. But, there are clamours that the
Naga inhabited districts of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur would be
provided some kind of autonomy — though it is not yet clear about the type of
autonomy. That’s the reason that the apprehensions of Meiteis of Manipur and
civil society groups of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are refusing to wither
away.
Nevertheless,
the positive thing is that despite missing the deadline, both the Centre and
NSCN-IM have agreed to continue the peace talks. There have been reports that
the rebel group has even agreed to use its own Naga flag only at cultural
events. However, the issue with the separate Naga constitution still remains to
be resolved.
The
reality is despite positive hopes there are still hurdles that can wash away
all the efforts, dealing a big blow to the peace aspirations of the Nagas. One
hurdle to the solution is the urgency of the Modi government to clinch the
peace deal as soon as possible by setting unfeasible deadlines. To achieve
this, it is alleged by many that the government is using Naga National
Political Groups (NNPG), an umbrella coalition of seven armed groups, which is
quite flexible to the various contentious issues, including the separate flag
and constitution, to pressurise NSCN-IM. The government should understand that
such acts will only backfire as happened in the past, when the peace deals
signed with one particular group failed to deliver the required results.
Second
obstacle is the NSCN-IM itself. Their demands should be practical. Agreeing to
the demands of separate Naga constitution is not possible for the Centre as it
will ignite calls for separate constitutions from other States too. Given the
current situation of Kashmir, it would be disastrous for Centre to agree over
such impractical demands. NSCN-IM leadership should understand this, as now
they too agree that separation from India is a closed chapter. So, they should
also be aware of the ground realities of India. Instead, the rebel group should
settle for whatever greater autonomy is possible for the Nagas within the ambit
of the Indian constitution.
Also, the
Centre should focus on the concerns of the communities belonging to the
neighbouring states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur -- all ruled by
BJP. Moreover, in Nagaland, BJP is part of the coalition led by Chief Minister
Neuphio Rio’s NDPP. Politically this comes as an advantage for the BJP-led Modi
government to allay their worries born out of Naga peace deal, and the onus
lies on the Centre to definitely utilise this.
After all,
securing a permanent peace deal is the major requirement. Nagas are tired of
decades’ old insurgency and are aspiring for permanent peace, while considering
separation from India as a closed chapter. All they want is peace and tranqulilty
and proper security of their culture and identity in India. Beside this, an end
to the Naga insurgency will also help in the prosperity of the entire northeast
region. Responsibility now lies on the shoulders of both the Modi government
and NSCN-IM.---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
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