Nagaland Cabinet likely to have a crucial meeting on Naga issue on Monday, Jan 6th :::: Or could come with another drama !!! But reality check may force Naga leaders see 'Reality' and seize the Opportunity !!!

The last drama was about appointment of a new negotiator. The move was snubbed. A series of meetings have already taken place and these are going on for 27 years plus.

Hey, do not get a shocker. As the circa 2025 entered into human 'life-space', the Naga peace talks that began in 1997 August entered 28th year. But who cares? 

But New Delhi's latest rounds of messages have been --- The Naga leaders should see the 'reality' and seize the opportunity. 

At least the NDPP leadership comprising Chingwang Konyak and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio think something else. On Sept 12, 2024, yet another idea was mooted about maintaining the status quo. 

But it was conveyed to the pro-talks delay protagonists that enough is enough.  

The Centre outright (reportedly) rejected the demand from the Nagaland Cabinet and state's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of all legislators and ministers to replace A K Mishra as the negotiator or interlocutor for peace parleys.

The message from New Delhi was -- 

- "Negotiators are just messengers or envoys ... do not blame R N Ravi or Mishra".  

Hence all eyes are on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

 

However, there would be some elements of hope from Jan 6th Nagaland cabinet meeting. 

The big question is -- will the Status quo club give in. 

In November the message was loud and clear and is that the Nagaland government and the ministers especially need to do their homework with NSCN-IM.

Earlier in the day (Thursday, Nov 21) - about two hours before Naga delegation's meeting with Amit Shah, rebel leader and pro-Solution protagonist N Kitovi Zhimomi stole limelight when he flayed what he said was the "ill-intent of political players" vis-a-vis their move to seek a new peace interlocutor for the Naga issue. 

Then came in the festive season and hence it is possible the state government's 'interlocutors' have reached out to the NSCN-IM leaders yet again. 

In October, the NSCN-IM delegation held more one round of key deliberations with the centre's interlocutor A K Mishra. 

It was reported then that the Govt of India had tried to come out of the stage of subtle discussions on many fronts. 

One point was made 'clear' that the central Government under PM Narendra Modi is committed to the Framework Agreement of 2015 and its effective and practical implementation.

New Delhi also wants that Solution should come in the lifetime of the aging general secretary of NSCN-IM, Thuingaleng Muivah.

Will the protagonists now allow Muivah to take the credit for being a peacemaker or die as an underground leader ?  

On Dec 19. the umbrella body NNPG, which favours an early Solution pact, slammed NSCN-IM and said: 

"....NNPGs deems it  very unfortunate that the NSCN (IM) has chosen to dampen the festive spirit with a blatant statement in their mouthpiece and in the local dailies, attacking the WC,NNPGs with the same old narrative of glorifying themselves as the righteous children of the Almighty God".  

The NNPG statement also said - 

"Late Isak Chishi Swu was in hospital, in weak health and mind, not in a position to hold a pen, let alone sign a political document. 

Was he forced in any manner? 

Humans can justify but God in Heaven will reveal the truth in His own good time."  

All these imply delay tactics will not work very long now.  

The centre has acted quickly lately in Tripura and also appointed new Governors for Manipur and Mizoram.   

For the year 2025, the centre wants to give brought messages -- 

** Manipur ethnic conflicts should come to an end.

- Eastern Nagaland Public Organisation (ENPO) issue should be resolved. 

- Tripura tribal issues will have to be 'tackled' on war footing

and ensure peace and harmony in Meghalaya by resolving matters related to HNLC.  

And much important in this context - Naga leaders should see the 'reality' and seize the opportunity. 

ends