New Delhi
It is ironic but true.
"The biggest hurdle to Solution could be coming from the pledge of MLAs and Ministers that they will all quit once Solution is arrived at and an agreement is signed," says one former military officer who served in Nagaland in the 1990s.
The experts are of the view that Solution to the Naga insurgency issue at this juncture will have a soothing impact in the entire north east and "also cool down the temper" in violence-hit Manipur.
But one of them says, "There is an inherent problem in the public announcement that they will pave the way for Solution. No one wants to give up power and position and so in many ways the pledge of resignation by Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs is thus a negative factor".
However, another retired officer maintained, "I am myself not able to comprehend what has stopped the Government of India to go for Solution when discussions are all over. What NSCN (IM) is asking in the form of Flag and a separate Naga Constitution is just not acceptable so things should be clarified categorically".
The government interlocutors and machineries are reportedly enlisting the views of some experts and former military officers who served in Manipur and Nagaland in view of the prevailing situation.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also likely to visit Manipur on a three-day visit
beginning May 29.
Along with the N Biren Singh ministry in Imphal, the centre too has come under attack for
mishandling the crisis in Manipur. Some opposition leaders have also stated that "understanding
the complex issues of north east are not in the DNA of the BJP leadership".
Mr Shah has held a series of meetings with civil society groups from both Kuki-dominated
areas and also those representing Meities. He summoned Chief Minister Biren Singh and his ministerial colleagues
and other BJP leaders to New Delhi and gave them an assurance that Manipur’s territorial integrity will remain intact.
However, he has categorically laid emphasis on restoring peace and normalcy and also asserted that no
wrongdoers responsible for inciting the riots will be spared. The centre was also not quite happy with
the demand for a Separate Administration by disgruntled Kukis at this juncture.
Former military brass are of the opinion that the Naga political issue being the 'mother of all insurgencies'
in the northeast, once Solution is arrived at -- "things will fall in place in all other parts of the region".
This will help yield better results from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East Policy too, especially
in the context of ASEAN countries wherein northeast people can easily establish working relations.
They also point out that from time to time various militant groups also owing allegiance to
'non-tribal' Hindu communities like Meities, Assamese and smaller tribal groups Bodos and Karbis and those
in Arunachal Pradesh have in the past created havoc.
"The root of all these problems is linked to Solution to the Naga political problem," one of them suggested to
the government.
Some of these officers and retired generals have taken "personal interest" and went "out of the way" to
work on a solution and thus keeping things pending "also make us frustrated".
There was a time when NSCN (Khaplang) -- then united with N Kitovi Zhimomi and also with
S S Khaplang - had to be brought into the talks process. Sincere efforts were made
by all quarters during the stint of L K Advani as the Home Minister and these included efforts of the then Chief Minister
S C Jamir (of Congress) and even army top brass to bring the belligerent militant group to agree for a ceasefire.
Grapevine has it that the Mokokchung civil administration had passed on the 'inputs' to Kitovi
that he should meet central government mercenaries and Kitovi said, "we can come but
no one should be harmed directly or indirectly".
During hours long meeting, Kitovi once gesticulated his fingers and told the government side
(including a few top army brass) that, "We have a formula to crush thousands of Indian soldiers
deployed in Nagaland and when he was asked to share his strategy, Kitovi reportedly said
we will agree for a ceasefire and all forces will be automatically rendered meaningless".
It was in jovial mood and in the spirit of reconciliation.
That was the beginning of a long process around 2000-2001 and things have come pretty long since then.
Experts are of the opinion that both the Framework Agreement of 2015 and the Agreed Position of 2017
were important milestones and should be taken forward at the earliest.
There is also a gradual realisation that the stance taken by the Government of India that the Naga peace
agreement will be confined to the people and within the boundary of the state of Nagaland is another
important facet.
The Nagas of Manipur may be wondering what is the 'cost-benefit' analyses from the viewpoint of a Naga
villager in Manipur as the centre has time and again also ruled out any compromise with the territorial
integrity of the state of Manipur.
One source sums up the paradox well. "Even I would be wondering what we would get if I were to be in the shoes of Nagas of Manipur".
But in the context of ongoing Meitei-Kuki conflict, the Nagas of Manipur and as socio-political groups
have shown immense maturity.
"This mature behaviour of Nagas" ought to be emulated by Kukis and Meiteis at this juncture, they feel.
ends
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