Road to Peace in Nagaland

HEADLINES:

Hurdles to Naga peace

WHY IN NEWS:

Why is the main rebel outfit upset? What is the government interlocutor’s stand on the ‘framework agreement’?

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Internal Security Challenges : Non-State Actors

LEARNING:

For MAINS go through Shillong Accord of 1975 . The whole issue is surrounded with a controversy between Governor and extremist faction . Such questions are asked least these days ! But yes we have to cover this . Let us dive in !

ISSUE:

The demand by the NSCN (I-M) to remove Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi as the Centre’s interlocutor for the 23-year-old peace process has alleged tweaking of the original framework agreement.

Fresh hurdles have emerged in the road to peace in Nagaland.

A framework agreement was signed in 2015 between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, or the NSCN (I-M).

NSCN (I-M) is the largest of the extremist groups in the peace process since 1997.
There have been more than 100 rounds of talks and several twists and turns.

THE SHAKING PEACE PROCESS

Talks, fatigue and growing impatience across the Naga domain gave way to optimism when Mr. Ravi was made Nagaland’s Governor in July 2019.
His appointment was seen as a message from New Delhi that the solution would be found soon.

In October 2019, Governor issued a statement blaming the “procrastinating attitude” of the NSCN (I-M) for the delay in a mutually-agreed draft comprehensive settlement.

EVENTS

Governor remarked NSCN (I-M) imputed “imaginary contents” to the framework agreement .

The government’s purported acceptance of a ‘Naga national flag’ and ‘Naga Yezhabo (constitution)’ as part of the deal.

In June this year, the NSCN (I-M) took offence to Governors letter to Nagaland Chief Minister in which he referred to them as “armed gangs” running parallel governments.
The NSCN (I-M) reacted by demanding Governors removal from the peace process .
On the other side the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), a conglomerate of seven rival groups, and some social organisations want him to stay.

WHAT IS THE ‘FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT’?

On August 3, 2015, the Centre signed a framework agreement with the NSCN (I-M) to resolve the Naga issue, but both sides maintained secrecy about its contents.

The optimism among some Naga groups eroded a bit when the NNPGs were brought on board the peace process on November 17, 2017.
This agreement ostensibly made the peace process inclusive .

Gradually it created suspicion about Delhi exploiting divisions within the Nagas on tribal and geopolitical lines.

It was also a throwback to the first peace deal, the Shillong Accord of 1975 that Naga hardliners rejected.
That had led to the birth of the NSCN in January 1980.
Differences surfaced within the outfit a few years later over initiating a dialogue process with the Indian government.
It split into the NSCN (I-M) and NSCN (Khaplang) in April 1988 who often engaged in fratricidal battles.

THE CONTENT LEAK

A few days ago, the NSCN (I-M) released the contents of the framework agreement.

The outfit said Governor had craftily deleted the word ‘new’ from the original line that referred to “shared sovereignty” between India and the Naga homeland .

RECENT CLASHES

This provided for an “enduring inclusive new relationship of peaceful co-existence.

The NSCN (I-M) claimed “new” was a politically sensitive word.

NSCN (I-M) defined the meaning of peaceful co-existence of the two entities (sovereign powers) and strongly indicated a settlement outside the purview of the Constitution of India.
The group said- refrained from publishing the contents of the framework agreement respecting the “tacit understanding reached between the two sides not to release to the public domain for security reasons”.

But, it claimed Governor took undue advantage and started manipulating the framework agreement to mislead the Nagas and the Centre.

The Governor said the framework agreement was an “acceptance of the Indian Constitution” by the outfit.

IASbhai WINDUP:

WHAT ARE THE OTHER HURDLES?

In his ‘Naga Independence Day’ speech NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah insisted the Nagas “will never merge with India”.

But States adjoining Nagaland, where the peace headquarters of NSCN (I-M) is located, are apprehensive of the sovereignty issue.
This is because of the NSCN (I-M)’s idea of Greater Nagalim — a homeland encompassing all Naga-inhabited areas in Nagaland and beyond.
Apart from Myanmar, where many of more than 50 Naga tribes live, the Greater Nagalim map includes large swathes of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur.
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union warned against any “territorial changes” while finding a solution.

But non-Naga groups are suspicious since the Tangkhul community, forming the core of the NSCN (I-M), is from Manipur.

The outfit may not accept any agreement that excludes areas inhabited by them.
The NNPGs, whose members are primarily from Nagaland, are also a factor.

SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | Road to Peace in Nagaland

DISCOVER MORE : GS-2

DONATE FOR A CAUSE

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis & Answer writing video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

Road to Peace in Nagaland | UPSC