Free Courses Sale ends Soon, Get It Now


Naga Peace talks                                 

10th March, 2022

                                                     Copyright infringement is not intended

Context: Naga groups seek early peace deal. Nagaland Government-led consultative committee meeting adopted resolution for an early political solution.

Recent developments:

  • The Naga peace talks were also impacted by the incident on December 4, 2021 when six villagers returning from a coal mine were killed in an operation by para commandos of the Assam Rifles in Nagaland’s Mon district.
  • The dialogue between the Union Government and the NSCN-IM collapsed in 2020 when the largest Naga group refused to hold any further talks with government appointed interlocutor.

History of Naga struggle:

                                            

About Naga Peace Talks:

  • The talks seek to settle disputes that date back to colonial rule.
  • The Nagas are an ethnic community that comprises several tribes who live in the state of Nagaland and its neighbourhood.
  • Key demands of Naga groups: Creation of Greater Nagalim, an extension of Nagaland’s borders by including Naga-dominated areas in neighbouring Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and even of Myanmar uniting 1.2 million Nagas.
  • Assertion of Naga nationalism, gave rise to decades of insurgency that claimed thousands of lives.

What is the Naga peace process?

  • It refers to ongoing talks between the Indian government and Naga insurgent groups, in particular the NSCN(IM), since 1997 with the aim to sign a Naga Peace Accord.
  • The Naga insurgency, rooted in Naga nationalism, is one of the oldest insurgencies in the country.

What has happened since?

  • In August 2015, the group signed a framework agreement with the Indian government for the Naga Peace Accord.
  • Both the government and Naga groups successfully concluded talks on the government’s deadline of October 31, 2019, no accord was signed.
  • In January 2020, the government had IB special director Akshay Mishra step in and continue the engagement.

How did things go wrong?

  • The NSCN(IM) and the Indian government differed in their understanding of the framework agreement.
  • The NSCN(IM) insistent on a Naga constitution, and was pushing for a Greater Nagalim stretching beyond the boundaries of the present Nagaland state.
  • Although IM had softened its stance on the demand for a separate flag and constitution, still a few bones of contention remained.
  • In November 2017, Ravi signed an agreement with seven groups who had come together under the banner of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), which did not include the NSCN (IM).
  • The IM, accused Ravi of attempting to “segregate the Naga civil society”.
  • Ravi, meanwhile, continued to engage with the other Naga groups, and declared that the Accord would be signed with or without the NSCN(IM).

What are the real issues?

  • The Naga issue is very complex, and is led by a Tangkhul from Manipur, for whom it is difficult to abandon the demand for a Greater Nagalim.
  • There is no way the government would accept a separate constitution for Nagaland.

What is the way forward?

  • It is important to understand that there cannot be an accord without the NSCN(IM).
  • There is need to delicately close the gap between the IM and NNPGs.
  • Some demands that need ironing out include
    • one for a bicameral Assembly with at least 40 nominated members representing different tribes;
    • absorption of cadres as local armed forces or in the Indian paramilitary;
    • setting up of autonomous councils in Naga-dominated areas of neighbouring states; and
    • use of the Naga flag for at least customary events.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/naga-groups-seek-early-peace-dealsought/article65207950.ece