Naga Peace: Consultations with NE states were done in past as well

New Delhi, Nov 2 Close on the heels of reported 'breakthrough' in Naga peace parleys, focus on drafting 'final Naga Peace Pact' has shifted on consultation with stakeholders and especially three-Naga inhabited states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

However, it will not be first time that three states will be consulted on matters related to Naga insurgency. 

In 2000, the then Vajpayee government first held the talks with as many as four Chief Ministers - three of these states and also E K Mawlong from Meghalaya. Of course, September 27-28 meeting in 2000 was not out any special concern for these states but was triggered by the necessity. 

The centre had intelligence inputs that any decision to extend ceasefire in Manipur would provoke large scale protest. 

The NDA government, however, had agreed to concede to NSCN (IM) demand to extend the provisions of Naga Ceasefire beyond the territorial boundary of Nagaland. 

At later stage, the apprehensions were proved correct as in the violance in summer of 2001, even the Manipur state assembly complex was attacked. 

Prime Minister Vajpayee and the then Home Minister L K Advani got all the flak and came under attack from vocal Congress leaders like Manishankar Aiyar, but the real fault guy was K Padmanabhaiah, the then peace negotiator, and also a former Union Home Secretary. 

In fact, Padmanabhiah also in later period came under severe criticism from R N Ravi, present Nagaland Governor and the interlocutor at talks since 2014. 

Sources say the Vajpayee-Advani duo had showed maturity in consulting Meghalaya Chief Minister even though the state has 'no Naga-inhabited areas'.Meghalaya's involvement at the consultation was however considered important  there were reports that NSCN-IM had continued to provide 'operational support' to the Meghalaya-based outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).

Other Chief Ministers who were consulted were W Nipamacha Singh (Manipur), Prafulla Kumar Mahanta (Assam) and Mukut Mithi (Arunachal Pradesh). Of course, the NDA dispensation had its reasons not to talk to Nagaland Chief Minister S C Jamir (of Congress) on the matters as NSCN (IM) had 'extremely bad' relations with Jamir allegedly for his soft corner for NSCN (Khaplang).

These were times when the Congress veteran had time and again said he was only being 'harassed' as "I have never met Khaplang".

True consultations are vital for any negotiations to resolve 'insurgency' challenges in a region like northeast India.

But these are easier said than done. "Often the interests clash and there are overlapping issues," says a source.

The essential issue that ought to be kept in mind is that the insurgency in Nagaland has 'thrived' due to cross-border implications not only within India but also beyond international boundaries.

While China's role has been a question in 1970s - when NSCN was floated after Naga insurgent leaders visited China; Myanmar and Bangladesh too had emerged primary safe havens.

However, in recent times things have changed in Bangladesh and geo-political situation has changed with respect to China and Myanmar also. 

So, sources say as consultation will be made with key northeastern states, the government apparatus will do well to keep a track on NSCN (K) - which had enterted talks process in 2001 but walked away in 2015 and now remains 'functional' in Myanmar region.

Security agencies know there will be need for effective coordination between all states in the region and also with 'friendly regime' in Bangladesh and Bhutan. 
However, there is a given advantage for BJP-led regime in the centre as in all these three crucial states - Manipur, Arunachal and Assam - the saffron party has its own Chief Ministers.

Yet, no final word can be said as BJP Chief Minister N Biren Singh has been more than categorical and has said “We will even sacrifice our lives if Manipur is disintegrated".