Patience is leading to anger. This anger is potent for a variety of reasons.
In circa 2025, the Modi government aptly realises the urgency and importance of showing concrete results of its sustained efforts since 2014 when the most indecisive government of our time with least sincerity for the far-flung region was replaced.
Now the signs are reassuring. Yes, results will have to shown on ground. Perhaps Prime Minister Narendra Mod himself realises that now more than anyone else. On developmental and infrastructure fronts; the drastic changes since 2014 are easily visible in Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh.
The connectivity has improved though the poor road sector still needs mega revamp especially in eastern Nagaland. But in tackling the socio-political problems, there is a need to correct the sins of the past and of course look beyond quick-fix solutions. The subsequent attention is easily directed towards Nagaland and Manipur.
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| PM Modi in Manipur: March 2022 |
In Nagaland, New Delhi had pursued a policy of wait and watch. It trusted too much on the federal spirit and expected the state government and the Chief Minister in office to deliver on peace talks. If that plan has not worked, essentially the Govt of India has to blame itself.
How much BJP's political interests were responsible for this is anyone's guess.
The complexities of Naga issue is well known to New Delhi by now.
If some players want their hegemony to prevail all across; one is reminded of a statement from a former Chief Minister (now deceased) -- "Nothing divides the Nagas more than our perceived unity".
The first mistake by the BJP was in 2018 and five years later the saffron party high command again allowed itself to go for another round of erroneous roadmap.
New Delhi simply did not realise where does the strength of Status quo club vis-a-vis an early Solution rests caged and well-protected !!
Thus even in 2025, New Delhi realises as if nothing has moved beyond 1997 when the talks had first began on a very shaky ground.
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| Stone pulling : A Festival of Angami Nagas |
In Manipur, things were going well under the so-called Double engine government(s) untill May 2023. There are reasons to believe that multiple factors have contributed to this mess including drug mafia and foreign hands.
The rule of law was the first casualty and then logic and reasoning also failed.
In February 2025, the centre opted for the President's Rule. Now an urgency is being pushed by certain quarters to install a popular government yet again. The real challenges are two-pronged.
First, someone has to ensure that the new Chief Minister will be able to deliver. The BJP has to ensure if it can do business in Manipur keeping former Chief Minister N Biren Singh out of the corridors of power.
And secondly whether Kuki MLAs will be part of this arrangement.
The official line from the Kuki organisations so far has been no legislator from the community will be part of this. They want a separate administrative unit. Nagas of Manipur are playing a clever game. They will not mind 'benefits' to share power with Meiteis. But they will not mind even an autonomous council or so on.
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| Biren Singh and Modi |
The challenge has therefore increased manifold for the mandarins and other socio-political apparatus to deliver a miracle -- the 'indrajal (magic)' of peace, tranquility and mutual trust. The third element in that - the 'mutual trust' - has gone bitter and far-off to some fairy lands.
In the nineties, one veteran Nagaland leader had told me: "Do not write it in my name even after I am dead.... but left to me I would like Nagaland to be as new and modern as the computer technology and as old and traditional as the era of Ten Commandments".
The need to strike the right balance is something everyone would be looking for in both the states.
Whatever the leader meant, I am sure a lasting Solution to Naga insurgency was something in his mind.
But who could have predicted that after years of negotiations and even after two sets of preliminary pacts. the sabotage and status quo club will continue to have the last laugh.
The Nagas have a tendency to look towards China for some solace even as many Nagas know that communism and Christian interests have clashed in the past. In Beijing these days the speculation is what would happen to the President for life Xi Jinping.
There is something called the sword of natural justice.
Closer home, people like to have the titles 'ministers and chief ministers for life'. By hook or crook.
This is a kind of sickness and it is high time the diagnosis and treatment is done at the earliest. Namo has to play the surgeon !
We have always contended that developments in Nagaland vis-a-vis Solution would have a salutary impact in Manipur too. But it appears New Delhi wants to go for a temporary package of calm and development in Manipur first and then deal with the Naga problem. Either way, let us be optimistic.
Prime Minister Modi is aware of the political heat he would be subjected to during the coming Monsoon session of Parliament. So, he wants government machineries to do a good ground works on Nagaland and Manipur. Modi need not be reminded that he has to visit Manipur since 2023.
His probable visit to Manipur and return of a popular government in Imphal may be linked to each other either way.
ends
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