India's oriental civilisational values have always banked on the power of poise, patience and equanimity. Lord Gautam Buddha was a great symbol of that. His handling of brigand Angulimal, who made a garland of fingers of the people he killed, is an all-time relevant episode of history and religion.
Among politicians, we remember in gratitude the statesmanship of Sardar Vallbhbhai Patel.
Decision Making Time: for Decisive Team
Reference to one instance will be relevant here. During a court hearing, he was delivered a telegram. He immediately put it inside his pocket and continued with the court proceedings. As the hearing ended, one of his assistants asked him what was the message in the telegram.
His response was pretty cool : "My wife is no more". This is a lesson that statesmanship does not come by flamboyant lifestyle or endorsement from the western media.
I know of one of the Naga peace negotiators who lost his brother but within days, he got back to his files and started interacting with the movers and shakers of Naga movement.
Anyone trying to question sincerity of such protagonists will have to do soul searching.
Now at what stage does the Naga peace parleys stand today?
In simpler words, it is no longer at crossroads. The direction is clear now for at least six NSCN factions and the Govt of India.
Few more groups will join the process soon. In December 2024, two NNPG leaders Alezo Venuh and N Kitovi Zhimomi (both had already split) stated the obvious == those who stay away from the path of Solution and Peace, they will be isolated by a natural process.
This is a new beginning and thus a crucial era. Team Modi is determined to put things on a fast track. And hence subsequent dramas, emotive talks and misleading narratives are coming from the Status Quo club.
Belittling of the Statehood -- that was hard-earned and well protected under Article 370 (A) --- is one of the negativity at play. Another ploy is a virtual war with unconventional weapons against the very peace process and the votaries of pro-Solution school of thought.
Veteran S C Jamir is a favourite punching bag. A few years back R N Ravi was targeted. And despite lip-service from Kohima players that the then Governor was a "genuine person"; there was an orchestrated media boycott of his farewell. Since September 12, 2024, a new demand was pushed for replacing incumbent negotiator A K Mishra.
N Kitovi Zhimomi is another punching bag. There are multiple factors behind this. One, the NNPG convener is a good face among insurgents, who has handled negotiations with New Delhi with a pragmatic approach.
Other reasons for the twist in the tale is the old menace of tribalism.
The Govt of India understands these finer aspects pretty well these days unlike the past.
Even from the times of A Z Phizo, this tribalism factor was raising its head.
Naga guns and bullets were targeted not only against Indian security forces. There came a time of major concern when fellow Naga brothers and sisters were attacked on the basis of personal loyalties and ethnic and so-called ideological differences.
The cruel assassination of editor and an idealist politician Chalie Kevichusa in 1992 had nothing to do with the genuineness of the Naga movement.
Then came in more crucial period. The then Jamir government between 1993 and 1998 had almost cornered one of the potent factions with its aggressive security measures. The 1997 ceasefire was thus not the result of any choice and sudden discovery of love for peace. There were strategic compulsions.
The Govt of India irrespective of party affiliations favoured talks. The erstwhile Rao government was irked by continuous so-called Naga-Kuki feuds. It was essentially a turf war between Kukis and Tangkhuls and things got extended to Nagaland. Late Rajesh Pilot had understood this.
Using fear as a tool, even Kuki bureaucrats like S Changsan, then DIPR Director, was attacked at Kohima.
In 2025, Kukis led by C Singson has decided to back Kitovi and there are possibilities that both Kitovi and Singson will also be subjected to reasonable and unreasonable attacks.
I remmber what Late Vamuzo used to say: "The Naga movement is a powerful emotive issue. It touched Naga mindset and hearts of the Nagas .... but it also inflicted armed disasters on us as the ethnic and tribal tensions have increased manifold".
With great difficulties these differences were kept at bay but New Delhi is trying to understand why suddenly on the eve of putting things on the right and faster track towards Solution; such ugly phases are again coming into play.
These fissures are the bane of the Naga society, say mandarins in Delhi and underline that PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are more than keen that the appeal (clamour) for Peace and an early Solution pact will transcend ethnic divisions.
Trusted aide and friend of PM : Shah pledges early Solution
In November 22, 2024, Amit Shah held an important late night meeting with a ministerial delegation from Nagaland. The Message was loud and clear.... the Nagaland ministers including from the BJP ought to do their homework with NSCN-IM.
Demand for a change of interlocutor A K Mishra was never and could not be part of a Solution agenda. It was strictly political.
Refer old blog:
My interactions in June-July 2025 with people who matter in these matters suggest there is no change in that position.
The Solution is for Naga people. The Modi government would like to respect that wish of the Nagas. The Solution is not to do with any ego massaging for any individual leaders and the associates.
In other words, one faces two roads. Forward or a U-turn. Solution or no Solution. And what would 'no solution' mean ?
In 1992 after Babri Masjid was demolished; four BJP-ruled states faced President's Rule. The argument was that there could be 'nexus' between those who brought down the structure and the Chief Ministers in these states.
Nexus is a typical word in the history of Naga insurgency too.
In 1997, Lt Gen S S Grewal, Corps Commander at Rangapahar, had said : "If the nexus is handled, yeh log teek nahi payenge (the insurgency cannot survive)".
Modi's India is known for being more assertive than the apparatus we had in 1997.
ends
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