Armed cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM)
stand guard at Viswema village, south of Kohima, Nagaland. APPhoto Curtains are likely to come down on one of the oldest and longest ethnic insurgent movements in India, as the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) or the NSCN (I-M) entered the last leg of deliberations for a possible solution to the long-standing Naga issue.
The NSCN (I-M), which has been fighting for an independent Nagaland for over six decades, lowered its demand, asking for the formation of a ‘Greater Nagaland' by integrating parts of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, and the unification of the Nagas living in those states as well as in neighbouring Myanmar under one administrative unit.
Now that the much elusive Memorandum of Settlement with the NSCN(I-M) is in the offing, the UPA government is working overtime to iron out the differences and bring on board all the dissenting parties, so that the accord, this time round, is a resounding success. The Shillong Accord, signed in 1971 between the government of India and the Naga National Council (NNC) headed by the legendary A.Z. Phizo failed, as a section of the NNC walked out of the agreement. The NSCN was then formed and they renewed their ‘war for independence' with utmost ferocity.
But this time Nagas are keen for a long-lasting peace and a permanent solution. Earlier this year, all the legislators of Nagaland had met the Prime Minister and Home Minister, offering to step down for the sake of an interim government with rebels, civil society members and politicians before the Assembly elections, which is due in March 2013. This move might require a stint of Central rule to put the new interim government in place.
With the talks between the Naga insurgents and the Government of India entering its 15th year since the two sides entered into a ceasefire agreement way back in August 1997, it is believed that the NSCN (I-M) leaders are in the mood to let go the emotive issue of ‘territorial integrity' of the Nagas, which was a major stumbling block. On offer now, is a proposal to create centrally-funded autonomous institutions for safeguarding the identity and cultural preservation of Nagas in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier, the outfit's demand for integration of Naga-inhabited areas in other states under a single administrative unit had led to violent clashes, the fiercest of them being in Manipur, as its people vowed ‘not to part with an inch of their territory'.
According to sources, the proposed pan-Naga social autonomous bodies would take care of the identity of the Nagas and preservation of their culture, particularly of those living outside the political boundary of Nagaland.
The other highlights of the settlement, which is being worked out now in consultation with the rebel group, includes a proposal to convert Nagaland legislature into a bicameral assembly; autonomous development councils; separate ‘state flag' on the lines of the Red Flag of Jammu and Kashmir; more autonomy; special status; formal recognition of the unique history of the Nagas and a slew of development projects among others. The Naga militant group had demanded increasing the size of the 60-member Nagaland Assembly by 20 seats. The Centre reckons that a bicameral legislator would take care of that demand to accommodate marginal tribal groups and sub-groups. The outfit had earlier submitted a 30-point charter of demand. But, all of them could not be taken into consideration.
It is said that the Centre has ruled out the proposal to rename the Nagaland Assembly as ‘Parliament'. Instead, it will be called ‘Tatar Hoho'. For renaming the assembly, the Centre will enhance the State List of the Constitution by bringing in subjects from the Central List and the Concurrent List to ‘reflect the uniqueness of the Nagas.'
According to analysts and Naga-watchers, the Centre has a choice of either expanding Article 371A that grants special status to Nagaland or adding another part specifically on Nagas to the Constitution. The contentious issue of ‘decommissioning of weapons', is believed to have been solved with the Centre agreeing to induct most of the insurgent cadres into the Indian army and paramilitary forces.
The elated Nagaland legislators and the jubilant civil society organisations, are reportedly making a bee-line to New Delhi to persuade the MPs to vote favourably, as the settlement will undoubtedly entail substantial constitutional amendments, to be passed by both Houses of Parliament. Barring the Left parties, it is said that none other would pose any problem. It may be recalled that three former prime ministers—P.V. Narasimha Rao, H.D. Deve Gowda and A.B. Vajpayee—had met the NSCN (I-M) leadership personally during their respective tenures and had impressed upon them the need to solve the issue once and for all.
With assembly elections in the state due early next year, the Congress is keen to find a final solution to the Naga problem and hopes to come back to power after a 10-year long hiatus. Also, it will have to its credit the distinction of bringing into the mainstream one of the most powerful insurgent outfits in the country.