Naga talks : New Delhi must firmly say no compromise on Flag and Constitution

 "No Mizoram prism, remove insecurity of Chief Minister Rio"

New Delhi must firmly say no compromises on Flag and Constitution

New Delhi/Dimapur 

PM Narendra Modi needs to be firm. Peace emissary A K Mishra coming and having any number of meetings may not help much. 

A special emissary or interlocutor ideally should not matter much. They are responsible for breaking the ice and making two or multiple sides meet. Future course of discussions and the outcome depend on the two negotiating sides.

So, technically there may not be much of a difference between Swaraj Kaushal, who handled Mizo talks and was first interlocutor for Naga talks too, and the incumbent emissary A K Mishra.

A former cop from an intelligence background is more of a 'smarter' diplomat. 

They can conceal more and reveal less. Mr. Mishra flew to Dimapur and held talks with top NSCN-IM leaders Q. Tucco and Thuingaleng Muivah.

But what did they talk about? Who is calling it fruitful? Any CSO leader or a pro-NDPP analyst ?

Talks can be successful like the way it has been with the NNPG only when the umbrella organisation took a pragmatic stance and did not indulge in selling dreams. The Govt of India should yet again start/restart any parleys making it absolutely clear that it will pursue the Naga issue with prior conditions - no compromises on Flag and Constitution.

Instead of being 'insecure', Rio must aim Silver medal

'Nagaland Page'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs to call out the bluff. A leader who abrogated Article 370 in J&K cannot suddenly allow himself become a 'weak or soft leader like Nehru' -- to use the phraseology from the BJP think tanks.

Mishra as an emissary has to discharge his duties as a patriot. Because things are complex; he also has to strike the right balance between the NNPG and the NSCN-IM.

New Delhi has to handle a few other issues. In 2024, it needs to shed the 'Mizoram prism' while resolving the Naga issue. The permanent fear that he will have to step down as Chief Minister if peace talks are successful and a pact is inked has made a 'brave' leader like Neiphiu Rio develop insecurity. 

This is notwithstanding the fact that Rio was courageous enough to take on his mentor and one-time powerful S C Jamir.

Ever since he became Chief Minister - with the help from a section of Naga groups - Rio is indebted to them too. Like a true 'son-in-law' he does not want to burn the bridges with his kins.

Every family man understands this logic.  

The Sept 12 resolution reflects growing nervousness in a man -- with whom even Nagaland Congress leadership has now grown soft. This new found Congress-Rio bonhomie will actually harm the Chief Minister more than it harms or derails the Naga talks.

The BJP leaders in Nagaland and especially deputy chief minister Y Patton need to be more serious when it comes to meetings like the one held on Sept 12. They should be more concerned about propriety and the prestige of the office of the PMO.

An analyst in Delhi says, "The issue of Nagalim or bringing all Naga contiguous areas under one roof is only a pipe dream. These days even NPF leader K Azo Nieunu has shown pragmatism unlike his predecessors and said such a thing cannot happen. Hence, New Delhi needs to change its approach too".

Another analyst and a former military officer endorses the same view and adds succinctly, "The Modi government understands that the 'Manipur mess' needs to be resolved sooner than later. New Delhi needs to ensure lasting peace in the Naga region of the state. 

Nagas have not joined the ethnic bitterness between Kukis and Meiteis. Now Nagas coming to New Delhi side would be a productive and forward looking concept".

The mandarins in the Home Ministry take some of these words with a pinch of salt.

"To be optimistic is good; but to be unreasonably hopeful about miracle is something discarded from the text book of administration," - is one refrain when it comes toissues like corruption-free Nagaland, wholesome development in the state and a lasting and a permanent solution to the Naga issue.

Kitovi of NNPG : Playing it hard with pragmatism

There is a general understanding that insurgency is also an industry and hence it knows how to survive braving odds.

But New Delhi appreciates the stance taken by Nagas of Manipur when it comes to the feud of 2023.

Nagas have their agreements and disagreements with both warring communities - Kukis and Meiteis. 

That way, they have so far remained neutral in the conflict without actively participating despite efforts by both communities to reach out to them which is appreciated by New Delhi.

This brings the debate to a more pertinent stage. The Naga population of Manipur has not given any blanket authorisation to any organisation, CSO or group.

They want peace and development. When it comes to political performance of the N Biren Singh government, they punished Biren Singh, the NPF and even the Modi government by voting in favour of Congress.

The Nagas of Nagaland -- the larger section one presumes - should come out of their pipe dream and emulate Naga brothers and sisters in Manipur state and focus on what is attainable and what is good for the future.

Look at the all-India level service including security forces - the percentage is quite high from the Nagas of Manipur. Probably 10-20 percent of that in eastern Nagaland would have made the history of that sub-region different.

Time everyone works in a unity of purpose. Amit Shah, A K Mishra, Neiphiu Rio his advisors (officially designated ones and even those unofficially known), all Hohos of Nagaland, all political parties including BJP and Congress and even fault finding media.

This may not ensure us the gold of immortality, but at least the bronze of recognition.

The Silver medal will go to Neiphiu Rio.

ends