Government and Nagas are closer than ever to an agreement

Arms down: (NSCN-IM), which has been fighting for an independent Nagaland, has mellowed down of late. AP PHOTO

As the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) are busy clearing the decks for what is expected to be the last leg of deliberations for a possible solution by Christmas, one of the longest ethnic insurgent movements in India might see an end. The NSCN (I-M), which has been fighting for an independent Nagaland for more than six decades, has mellowed down of late, settling for a ‘Greater Nagaland' by integrating parts of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, and the Nagas living there, to the state.

Now that a solution is in the vicinity, the government is working overtime to iron out the differences and bring on board all the dissenting parties. The 1971 Shillong Accord, which was signed by the Centre and the Naga National Council (NNC) headed by the legendary leader A.Z. Phizo, failed because a section of the NNC walked out of the agreement, formed the NSCN, and renewed their ‘war' for independence.
This time, however, the Nagas seem to be keen on a lasting solution. Earlier this year, all the legislators of Nagaland met the Prime Minister and the home minister, offering to step down to form an interim government with rebels, civil society members and politicians.
The talks between the Centre and the Naga insurgents started 15 years ago, and the two sides entered into a ceasefire in 1997. On offer now is a proposal to create autonomous institutions funded by the Centre for safeguarding the identity and cultural preservation of Nagas in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
The NSCN (I-M)'s demand for integration of the Naga-inhabited areas in other states under a single administrative unit had led to violent clashes. The fiercest of them was in Manipur, as its people vowed not to part with an inch of their territory.
The other subjects in the agreement include a proposal to convert Nagaland legislature into a bicameral Assembly by creating a second house, autonomous development councils, a separate state flag, special status, formal recognition of the unique history of the Nagas and a slew of development projects.
The Centre has apparently ruled out the proposal to rename the Nagaland Assembly as ‘Parliament'. Instead, it will be called ‘Tatar Hoho'. The sensitive issue of decommissioning of weapons is believed to have been solved, with the Centre agreeing to induct most of the insurgent cadres into the Army and paramilitary forces.
The Naga legislators are reportedly busy lobbying in Delhi to persuade the MPs to vote favourably, as the settlement would entail constitutional amendments. Barring the Left parties, it is said that nobody has a problem with the agreement.
With the Assembly elections due early next year, the Congress is keen to seal the deal as soon as possible and come back to power in the state after 10 years. It also wants the credit of bringing into the mainstream one of the most powerful insurgent outfits in the country.