Thanks to Manipur MLAs, Naga peace talks 'out' from cold storage

(also published in 'Nagaland Page', June 11, 2023) 

'Nagaland Page'

New Delhi 

There are two ways of looking at it. One, Solution to the Naga issue lies best in the womb of time; and secondly, it lies in the genesis of the issue itself and where, why and how the Naga problem began in the first place.

There could be still another way - let whatever is happening in and around Manipur be left to their fate. Essentially, the third option is also linked to the first one.

Before going further on this debate, it is pertinent to lay emphasis on the fact that the Govt of India ought to be firm. The Manipur MLAs' stand makes one recall what S C Jamir told me in 2021 --"We will take care of ourselves and they (Manipur communities and leaders) can take care of themselves". 

That means -- from an outsiders' perspective -- what goes around in Manipur is strictly an internal matter of Manipur. The bond and that too a historical one between Meiteis of Manipur and Nagas of Manipur ought to be appreciated and welcomed. It should not be disturbed either.

The Naga MLAs of Manipur have shown the 'maturity' by not allowing themselves to be distracted bythe demands for Separate Administration for tribals as echoed by the Kukis and other Zo communities. Of course they too are aware of peace parleys between Naga underground groups and Govt of India. It has its own merits.

Generally, Mizos are appreciated for their pragmatic socio-political approach, and here the Naga legislators belonging to parties such as the NPF, BJP and NPP have done so.

Thus, when it comes to issues concerning the 16th state of Indian union , the Govt of India must consult stakeholders within Nagaland state and all stakeholders -- overground and underground will be important In an interview to me on Nov 7, 2021, veteran Naga leader S C Jamir had said "...you can really enjoy and relish a curry when it is hot. But when it becomes cold and stale, there will be hardly anybody willing to willingly enjoy the curry. So, I think before it becomes cold, the curry should be shared by those people who are entitled to share the curry cooked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

(also appeared in national media on Nov 8th, 2021, and 'Nagaland Page') 

(Link

https://nagalandpage.com/i-briefed-pm-modi-about-the-realities-of-naga-political-situation-jamir/ )

This is to underline yet again that there is no room to further delay 'finalisation' of Naga peace talks and take it to a logical conclusion. As it is the talks are stalled since October 2019. Senior leaders will agree perhaps "this is the best time" to opt for a solution.

A Naga peace pact at this juncture will have a salutary effect on bringing 'early peace' and resolution of issues in Manipur.  It can salvage the Modi Government's image too. 

In short, every ethnic community cannot be given a Territory. But to resolve the Kuki issue in Manipur, the centre may have to resolve the Naga issue at the earliest as that can give them a working formula.

The Union government has meanwhile constituted a Peace Committee in Manipur to facilitate a peace-making process with Governor Anusuiya Uike as its chairperson.

The committee will have the chief minister N Biren Singh, a few state ministers, MPs, MLAs, and leaders from various political parties as its members. It will also have among its representatives former civil servants, litterateurs and others.

Sources say 105 people have lost their lives in the ethnic and communal violence, and thousands have been rendered homeless.

The CBI has filed six FIRs and formed a special team to probe the alleged conspiracy related to the ethnic violence in Manipur and a probe by a judicial panel is also on.

Analysts feel the assertion of Naga legislators of Manipur that they do not like to be part of any new separate tribal administration as desired by Kukis may evoke reactions from Nagaland civil society leaders.

The Naga organisations in Nagaland could be already conducting formal and informal meetings. That Naga MLAs of Manipur landed in Dimapur and agreed to meet the press is also an important message by itself. There was a message for people of Nagaland state. 

Many leaders including Nagaland politicians and civic body leaders in private and otherwise have been insisting that the Government of India should not delay inking a peace pact with the umbrella organisation NNPG.

Thus, everyone is keeping a hope yet again that the statements from Naga leaders in Manipur have a special significance politically and could go a long way in contributing towards expediting the Naga peace talks. 

The Naga civil society and influential Naga Tribes Council (NTC) also have been insisting for an early peace pact and did not like matters related to Manipur or Arunachal Pradesh to be linked for delaying the Solution and inking of a peace pact.

ends