The story of the recent past
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that won the General Lok Sabha elections in 2014, as per its manifesto had promised to reach out to the North-Eastern part of the country and ensure its economical, social and political development.
It is in this regard that a Framework Agreement had been signed between RN Ravi [(Governor of the State of Nagaland and Centre’s interlocutor for the Naga peace accord) and (a former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau; former Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee and a former Deputy National Security Advsior)] and representatives of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland- IM (Isak-Muivah) on August 3rd, 2015 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This Framework Agreement cultivated a sense of hope amongst the Nagas who had grown disillusioned since 1997 when the talks with the Government of India had stalled.
Meanwhile, the Governor invited other groups including the Church of Nagaland and together called the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG’s) worked out the political parameters of the settlement on November 17th, 2017. This further made the NSCN-IM suspicious of the Government’s intentions. An impression grew that the government was trying to use the policy of ‘divide and rule’ and exploit the differences between the geographically diverse Naga groups and the difference between the various tribes.
In August 2019, Ravi had said that the Prime Minister was keen on reaching a settlement soon. An agreement was to have been reached by October 31st of this year. Three main issues continue to be a stumbling block in this entire matter: the issue of a separate flag for the state of Nagaland, Naga Yezhabo (a separate constitution) and an integration of a greater Nagalim area (areas inhabited by the various Naga tribes in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam and the neighbouring nation of Myanmar).
It has now been agreed that the Nagas will not insist on the creation of Greater Nagalim and the government will ensure the equal protection and safety of all Naga tribes living in the North-Eastern part of the country.
Who are the Nagas?
The various tribes of the state of Nagaland and its neighbouring regions who have been connected to the state are collectively called the Nagas. Some of the prominent Naga tribes are the Konyaks (popularly called the head hunters), Ao, Rengma, Zeliang, Angami and Chang.
Their languages are different; however, they belong to the Sino-Tibetan group of languages.
The state of Nagaland is geographically situated in the North-Eastern part of India. Its neighbours include the Indian states of Assam to its North-west, West and South West; Arunachal Pradesh to its North, Manipur to its South and the nation of Myanmar to its North-East, East and South-East.
Due to their ancient and unique customs, Article 371 A of the Indian constitution grants special protection to it. Article 371 A (1) states that no law made by the Parliament of India shall apply in respect to:
Ø Religious or social practices of the Nagas,
Ø Naga customary law and procedure,
Ø Administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law,
Ø Ownership and transfer of land and its resources.
Except with the approval of the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland.
The modern History of the Nagas and the beginning of the conflict
Ø It was in the year 1881 that the Naga Hill region became a part of British India.
Ø A Naga Club was established in 1918 to bring together all the Naga tribes together. In 1929, they asked the Simon Commission (a commission appointed by the British Indian government in London to review the working of the Government of India Act, 1919 and suggest the path to be followed as far as constitutional development in India is concerned) to leave them alone and let them decide their affairs according to their ancient customs.
Ø This club became the Naga National Council in 1946.
Ø Under the leadership of Angami Phizo, independence of Nagaland was declared on August 14th, 1947.
Ø In May 1951, Phizo claimed to have conducted a referendum in Naga areas which was apparently supported by 99.9% of the population.
Ø In March 1952, Phizo formed the under- ground Naga Federal Government and the Naga Federal Army.
Ø The Government of India sent the Army to crush the insurgents and enacted the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in 1958.
Ø On 1st December, 1963, the state of Nagaland was carved out of Assam and became a state within the Union of India.
The movement lost its momentum only re emerge again in the 1980’s with the creation of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN).
The previous efforts at attaining peace
Ø The first efforts at peace started before India’s independence when the Governor of Assam Sir Akbar Hydari signed a 9-point agreement with the moderate faction of the Naga Nationalist Council (NNC) in June 1947. Phizo rejected this agreement out rightly.
Ø In July 1960, a 16-point agreement was signed with the Naga People’s convention which led to the creation of the state of Nagaland in 1963. This group was formed in August 1957.
Ø In April 1964, a Peace Mission was formed for an Agreement on suspension of military operations with the NNC. It was abandoned in 1967 after 6 rounds of talks.
Ø In November 1975, the Shillong Accord was signed by which a section of the NNC and the Naga Federal Government agreed to give up arms.
Mr Muivah and 140 others refused to accept the agreement and formed the NSCN in 1980. In 1988, the NSCN split into NSCN (IM) led by Muivah and based out of China and NSCN (Khaplang) led by Khaplang and based out of Myanmar.
Differences in Position between the groups
The NNPG currently wants to approach a solution with the integration of Nagas within the State of Nagaland.
Whereas, the NSCN (IM) entertains hopes of a greater Nagalim with territory that includes neighbouring states and nation as explained before. Considering this, the state governments of the neighbouring states have been put on high alert fearing trouble ahead of the peace deal that is expected. Newspaper reports suggest that this demand has been dropped by the group.
The road ahead
The two outstanding issues of having a separate flag and constitution will be an irritant between the Government of India and the Naga groups.
The other important issues are that of Trust and Peace. Nagaland is a state with tremendous potential. The Government is pursuing various connectivity projects with Bangladesh and Myanmar and the state will play a critical role in this regard. For this to happen without any hindrance, peace and trust between all communities is most important.