Naga Talks Inching ahead: Centre working on modalities for surrender of weapons, NPF withdraws from JLF

As the status quo --- that is the period between 1997 and 2020 - suits one particular section and a few Netas; 

TR Zeliang-led NPF withdraws from Joint Legislators' Forum (JLF) on Naga political issue

so called consensus suited NSCN(IM) ??

But ...........As the status quo --- that is the period between 1997 and 2020 - suits one particular section and a few Netas; TR Zeliang-led NPF withdraws from Joint Legislators' Forum (JLF) on Naga political issue

"When the ruling dispensation does not have confidence in the Legislators of the Naga Peoples’ Front, there is no valid reason why the Naga Peoples’ Front should continue to remain as part of JLF" - NPF resolution said.

It however said, the party and its Legislature Wing will continue to be active facilitators on the Naga political issue.

However, in quite a surprising development, the NPF attacked incumbent Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio - what it says his 'silence'.

"On August 5, 2020, the Chief Minister of Nagaland along with the Finance Minister of Assam, (Himanta Biswa Sarma) was called to Delhi by the Home Minister of India and the former left for Delhi on August 6, 2020 by a Chartered Flight and met the Home Minister of India the same day. 

While the Chief Minister of Nagaland on his return maintained an eerie silence on what transpired in the Meeting, it was learnt from the Finance Minister of Assam through his interactions with the Media that the Meeting was in regard to bringing about permanent peace in the NE region and that the Government of India was keen on resolving the Naga issue. The silence of the Chief Minister (Rio) is best known to him alone".

It was also given out in the media that Rio had met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

"As suggested by the Chief Minister, JLF on Naga political issue had constituted a Core Committee with 5 Legislators of the Naga Peoples’ Front out of the total 20 Core Committee Members following which, a total of 3 Meetings have taken place till date. In these Meetings, Legislators of the Naga Peoples’ Front had suggested that a Delegation comprising of representing various Political Parties and Tribe representatives should meet the  Prime Minister and Home Minister of India in order to apprise them for an early solution which has been a long cherished dream of the Naga people. 

Even in the last Meeting of the Core Committee held on March 8, 2020 at Niathu Resort, Dimapur; the same was reiterated. However, the  Chief Minister came up with excuses and the same has been kept in abeyance. At the JLF Meeting held at the Old Chief Minister’s Banquet Hall, Kohima on May 2, 2020; the same was proposed yet again.

 Even this time, the Chief Minister came up with an excuse that Civil Societies should first be consulted before such a move is initiated. The Chief Minister of the State had never expressed his mind or divulged his Meetings with the Central leadership in any of the JLF or Core Committee Meetings for the Members to carry forward as facilitator towards realising the Naga political issue".  

The Modi government can no longer be misled about so called consensus. Pressure will be built in the other camp!! 

The old game is perhaps here again. Try to build up a narrative that one particular faction of Naga militants is all that vital. Even a former Prime Minister - H D Deve Gowda's services has been enlisted.

The talks had started in 1997 and made some progress by 2000, but there were hurdles too.

Deve Gowda has been romantically described as the 'architect' of Naga peace talks. The fact of the matter is the real and initial push for talks was given by Congress Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao and lot of spadework was done by the then Minister of Home in-charge of internal security, Rajesh Pilot. Now that both these leaders are dead, we should not deny them the due credit.

Ravi with Defence Minister: Army & its Peace Role

Deve Gowda too of course deserves the credit for taking the plunge for first meeting the NSCN(IM) leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu, also deceased now, in February 1997 at Zurich.

Of course, one should not forget the role Deve Gowda along with two other former Prime Ministers V P Singh and Chandrashekhar had played in 2000 in urging the Thailand authorities to release Muivah - when he was arrested on the charge of possessing fake passport. Was all that necessary for former Prime Ministers?

Even the Vajpayee government - despite all its softness - was irked as Muivah had landed at Bangkok from Karachi and his visit to Pakistan was being linked to 'arms deal'.

Now in circa 2000, the Modi government is determined to bring an end to the parleys that began in 1997 and hence no amount of efforts to delay a final solution --- or signing of a pact - will help. The spin masters had enough of their time, is the refrain among those who matter in the Government of India.

Thus, a green signal has been given from the right place and talks have now been initiated about
surrender of weapons and cadres, rehabilitation of the members of the outfits and foot soldiers and some good economic package for the state of Nagaland and two possible autonomous councils in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

Much to the delight of the school of thought that wants early solution, the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) , a conglomerate of seven militant groups, and their convenor N Kitovi Zhimomi have agreed on all the major issues.

"Past must help the Nagas move forward not drag the Nagas into abyss. It is time to collectively plan a better future for our younger generation. Let us be practical and lay the first bricks for future Nagas.
.....We cannot burden our young men and women with monotonous fairy tale stories that satisfies one’s ego only," Zhimomi has said in his 'Naga Independence Day' message on August 14.

Working to a plan and with the confidence of New Delhi, interlocutor and Nagaland Governor
RN Ravi has already started talking with the state Governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur --- both BJP to work on the prospective councils and settle the mandatory but tricky administrative issues.

Nagas have significant presence in these two states. But this brings the complexity too. At many quarters, there is a conviction that without the insurgency problem, many politicians in the northeast would go jobless!

In other words, and we have discussed this earlier also that the militancy problem in the region is an 'industry' -- that is patronised by the practicing politicians of various hues. And this only strengthens their bargaining power vis-a-vis the Government of India.

Guv Ravi and CM Rio: Aug 15: What's on the table?

Here comes the relevance of what Ravi has spoken about in his statement and pointed out at the "vested interest".

In fact, in my book 'The Talking Guns: North East India' -- it has been dealt in details how - for a large number of politicians, the presence or absence of the insurgency makes a big difference in their lives. If Governor Ravi and the centre want to hit at such nexus, it has to be welcomed.

The government is now mulling various options. First to ensure no trouble from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Secondly, if necessary the community leaders of various tribal Hohos and influential bodies like Gaon Bura Federation (of village elders) will also be called to part of the grand signing ceremony.

Prime Minister's Office in Delhi is reportedly against the delay process.

After 2019 polls, Prime Minister Modi had given his nod and almost a deadline to sign the agreement with the Naga rebel groups by October 31 last year, it had to be delayed. There were objections from BJP Chief Minister N Biren Singh in Manipur and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim also required some 'time' to settle a few minor issues.

Of course, the issues of Flag and Constitution as well as 'greater Nagaland' always remained like hanging fire.

In the words of Governor Ravi yet again: "Ironically relative decline (in development) is more obvious during the recent decades.  

When the security forces and the Naga armed groups agreed to suspend operations against each other paving the way for political settlement, the legitimate expectation of the people of Nagaland was dividends of peace – freedom from fear of guns, better health, better education, better infrastructure, better livelihood opportunities, an atmosphere to dream and an eco-system to pursue their dreams."

ends