Naga saga

While the peace process is on, NSCN (IM) is unhappy with alliance’s commitment to safeguard the territorial integrity of NE states.
North East News Agency

AS the news spreads that the Centre and NSCN (IM) have agreed in principle to extend the ongoing ceasefire, everyone concerned heaved a sigh of relief. Because the vow to maintain the territorial integrity of the North-Eastern states by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre have made a section of Naga political leadership apprehensive about the future of the ongoing peace process in the State.

From Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to Naga Hoho president M Vero to various Naga political leaders and NGOs have appealed to the Centre to remove the clause on territorial integrity from the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the UPA. They are of the view that such a promise will make peace more elusive in this trouble-torn State.

However, the Centre though categorically stated that the peace process would be continued, had so far not given any assurances on the controversial issue of ‘Greater Nagaland’. The Nagas, especially the underground outfit NSCN (IM) for long had been demanding the Greater Nagaland comprising Nagaland and contiguous Naga inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. But the demand was vehemently opposed by the concerned states. The issue is so sensitive that when the ambit of the ongoing ceasefire between the Centre and NSCN (IM) was extended beyond the geographical boundary of Nagaland in 2001, Manipur went up in flames. The State Assembly building was torched and several lives were lost.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, both the parties concerned then decided against extending the ceasefire beyond Nagaland. But time and again, the NSCN (I-M) and various Naga organizations have been raising the issue. The rebel outfit has hinted that it would not settle for anything less than Greater Nagaland. Social organisations like the Naga Hoho, the apex body of the various Naga tribes also supports the demand.

From the very beginning the Centre has maintained that a consensus should be reached among the states before the creation of Greater Nagaland. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee categorically stated this when he visited Nagaland last year. UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi during her meeting with NSCN (IM) leaders Isak Chisi Swu and T. Muivah, when they visited India last year, had said that the any solution to the Naga problem should not hurt the sentiment of others. On his part Mr Muivah then assured the Indian leadership that he would personally establish contact with the Meitei leaders in Manipur to ascertain their objections over the issue.

Now, a section of the Naga leadership feel, the UPA has promised not to disturb the existing geographical boundaries of the North-Eastern states under pressure of the Congress-ruled states of Assam and Manipur. Naga Hoho president M Vero was more forthcoming on this issue. He told Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil that Nagas would feel cheated if Government of India does not concede to their demand of Greater Nagaland. He argued that all along Indian Government has maintained that it was ready to discuss the vexed Naga issue if the Nagas drop the demand of sovereignty. ‘’But now as the Nagas are ready to drop the issue the Centre is attaching one more condition,’’ he lamented. Mr Vero warned that if the Centre continued with this approach, peace in Nagaland will remain elusive. 

Along with the issue of Greater Nagaland, the Nagas are also opposing the Act on limiting the size of ministry to 15 per cent of the total strength of the state Assemblies by July 7. Mr Vero explaining the reasons behind its objections to the new Act said Nagaland has 16 major tribes along with a number of smaller tribes. ‘’To fulfill the hopes and aspirations of these tribes, it is necessary for Nagaland to have a large ministry to allow every tribe to participate in the development process,’’ he asserted. He apprehends that given the fragment nature of Naga society major law and order problem may surface in the State, if the Centre goes ahead with the July deadline regarding downsizing the government. He demands that like Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland should also be kept out the purview of the new Act.     

The Hoho delegation which also met Tribal Affairs and DONER Minister Patty Ripple Kyndiah, Ms Sonia Gandhi and Mr Vajpayee also urged the Centre to expedite the ongoing Naga peace process and include a paragraph in the CMP on the political dialogue. Speaking almost on similar lines, leading social organisations from Nagaland said integration of all Naga-inhabited areas would continue to be a ‘’non-negotiable’’ issue irrespective of the outcome of the on-going peace talks between the Centre and Naga underground outfits.

“Whatever be the outcome of the peace negotiations, integration of all Naga areas will remain non-negotiable as far as the aspirations of the Naga people are concerned,’’ the three prominent Naga NGOs, said in a joint statement.

Leaders of the Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Mothers’ Association and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights also sought repeal of the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act and withdrawal of the Disturbed Area Act.

Seeking an early settlement of the parleys between NSCN factions and the Centre for a lasting peace in the state, they said ‘’any statements or interventions made against the ongoing political talk are contradictory and anti-peace.’’ They expressed resentment over the ‘’deliberate negligence and refusal to make any reference’’ of the peace process by the ruling UPA in its Common Minimum Programme, but said they are hopeful that the government would work towards achieving a meaningful and acceptable political solution to the vexed issue.

The delegation included Y Vikheho Swu, Convenor of Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Khesheli Z Chishi, President of Naga Mothers’ Association and Achumbemo Kikon, President of the Naga Students’ Federation. Spokesman of the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) Neingulo Krome said, ‘’The key demand of the NSCN (IM) is the creation of Greater Nagaland and if the Naga inhabited areas in the North-East are not integrated, the rebel group might withdraw from the ceasefire agreement which will derail the ongoing peace process.’’ The ceasefire came into force in 1997.

A delegation of NPMHR, Naga Students’ Federation and Naga Mothers’ Association urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to adhere to the Centre’s policy on settlement of Naga problem and not to make any structural change that could affect the ongoing ceasefire and peace process. The delegation also met    the Home Minister and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. Mr Krome said that the seven-year-old ceasefire had brought about a sense of security and hope among the people, however, any statements or interventions against the political talks would be “contradictory and anti-peace”. “We repose trust in        Dr Singh and hope that his  leadership would address the needs and aspirations of the people of        the Indian sub-continent,’’ Mr  Krome said.