"Please work for Solution....," clamour grows
New Delhi
'Return to sanity' --- seems to be the message.
Nothing works best for the Neta class than the political compulsions.
The Manipur crisis which could impact socio-political developments in other northeast states vis-a-vis tribal-non tribal relations and also the fragile ties between various ethnic groups can now push Prime Minister Narendra Modiand his government to work at a much faster space for inking a final peace pact with Naga rebel groups.
While the umbrella body of seven Naga outfits, the NNPG led by N Kitovi Zhimomi is sincere for an early peace pact, the Government of India will have to work on those lines with NSCN-IM.
"Let us work for the Solution and bring it...Even if there is reluctance in many quarters... But it's high time; we may have to opt for Solution with the Naga groups sooner than later," a key source told 'Nagaland Page'.
Some Naga underground leaders who are already engaged in peace talks with the government's chief negotiator A K Mishra may be invited to Delhi for next round(s) of parleys at different levels.
The developments in Manipur with the speed they unfolded leaving an impact in other northeastern states has rang the alarm bell already for the government apparatus in all the states.
All seven states in the northeast are either ruled by the BJP or its allies and hence the pressure will be palpably more on the Union Home Ministry.
In what was seen as a spillover of the ethnic violence in Manipur, members of the Kuki and Meitei communities clashed in the Meghalaya capital Shillong on Thursday night. As many as 16 people in connection with the incident were arrested and the Meghalaya police under NPP-BJP dispensation has tightened security in Shillong.
The Meghalaya capital and several other places in the region have histories of gory communal
and ethnic conflicts in the north east. The tribal-non tribal problems often take ominous spectre in
the name of 'us-and-they' syndrome.
A total of 676 civilians including a large number of students were extricated from violence-hit parts of Manipur
by the officials and personnel from Assam Rifles under the aegis of IGAR (North) that caters to the entire
geographical areas of Nagaland state.
Meanwhile, a defence source in Delhi said that the army has also significantly enhanced aerial surveillance
through movement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and redeployment of helicopters within Imphal valley.
The Naga peace parleys have been completed by October 2019, according to the Government of India.
Even Governor R N Ravi has made a reference to that effect in his address to
the state assembly. The House has passed Motion of Thanks to Governor's address thereby
implying that the legislators had endorsed the Governor's version.
However, no progress has been made since then and issues of Flag and a separate Naga Constitution were
raised by the NSCN-IM led by the aging Thuingaleng Muivah.
Notably, the NSCN-IM and the umbrella group NNPG issued a joint statement on Jan 14, 2023 stating that two
sides pledged - "unconditional commitment to collaborate on the basis of our respective agreements
(Framework Agreement of 2015 and the Agreed Position of 2017)
for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with Govt of India".
In fact, this was for the first time, the NSCN-IM had shown its approval to the Agreed Position inked
between Govt of India and NNPG in 2017 when R N Ravi was the Governor of Nagaland.
It may be mentioned that BJP national vice president M Chuba Ao in a newspaper article in January this year also referred to 'transfer' of Ravi as the Governor of Tamil Nadu and maintained that "At times even unreasonable demands have been entertained (by the centre)" only to ensure that the peace parleys remained on track.
For months now the Chief Minister Rio and his dispensation both prior and after Feb 27 (2023) elections was considered as a status-quoist and "not doing enough" to take the long peace process toits logical conclusion.
Naga social activist Theja Therieh when asked to comment on the issue told 'Nagaland Page': "The delay in resolving the Naga political problem will prove too costly for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA government. The tribal-non tribal flare up in Manipur could result in holocaust and ethnic wars between various ethnic tribal groups and tribals and non tribals in various parts of northeast India unless handled with care and caution.
It pains every peace loving citizens and God forbid, this should never happen again. The sooner the Govt of India realises the importance of resolution of problems it is better".
"My humble point is what the centre has started should be taken to logical conclusion. In our case in Nagaland, it is Solution and Peace. This peace will open door for other positive developments including industrial development and jobs. Some issues are inherent but the solution to people's grievances can come through progress and prosperity," he said adding, otherwise there is a "risk" that what has been experienced in Manipur could precipitate in other states too.
In Mizoram, the resignation of Congress chief minister Lalthanhawla had ensured inking of the Mizo Accord in 1986. But in Nagaland for years now at various levels -- since the peace parleys have begun in 1997 - the leaders and experts have argued that the Naga issue should not be seen with the 'Mizoram prism'.
There was also gross disinterest among MLAs and others to give up power. Chief Minister Rio, who is now 72 plus, has also been asked more than once to focus on keeping a good legacy vis-a-vis Solution to the long pending Naga issue, an informed source said.
For people in different quarters time seems to be running out. The delay in finalising the peace process has triggered the Eastern Nagaland issue and now the stage is set for an autonomous territory.
With regard to both the peace talks and also on matters related to ENPO demand, apparently only the Monsoon session of parliament by July-August is left for the Narendra Modi government to work on legislative matters.
It goes without stating that the winter session of parliament will be a lame duck one as the entire focus will by then shift to the general elections of 2024.
These are practical challenges for the stakeholders. Then even hypothetical stages are being discussed.
If there is a change of regime after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and PM Modi moves out of office things will come back to square one what was probably a decade back. The new dispensation will have to study the entire issue probably all over again.
As for the second possibility, even if PM Modi returns to power making a hat-trick but he has much less number of BJP MPs, the 'political authority' to take a mega step vis-a-vis a complex issue like that of Nagas will be in question.
BJP leader Chuba Ao has stated in his article --- "There is a new fashion statement now and everybody is trying to blame the Govt of India. People say New Delhi has not taken things seriously. But the Govt of India is waiting for its prodigal son to return home....But how long the people of Nagaland state will now wait for the Solution".
In a recent newspaper article retired IAS officer Khekiye K Sema has stated - "Abraham Lincoln had said: “You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”
However, judging by the electoral results, the incumbent Chief Minister of Nagaland has been able to elaborately and resoundingly prove Mr Lincoln wrong. He has been able to “fool all the Naga people all the time”.
ends
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| Khekiye Sema |
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