Final pact sans the NSCN (IM)?: Another Shillong Accord ?
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: October 21 2019 -

If, as it is feared, the NSCN (IM) does not come on board and sign the final pact, which may be wrapped up by the end of October, then in all probability the final pact will be a half baked settlement.

Rest assured if such a situation becomes a reality, then one can expect an endless round of internecine fighting between the NSCN (IM) and the seven groups which together make up the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), comprising the NSCN (K), NSCN (U) and NSCN (R), among others.

Delhi obviously cannot be under the impression that such a final pact will be all inclusive and the North East region may again see the guns taking centre stage in the hills of Manipur and Nagaland and even Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

In the 22 years that the NSCN (IM) had been in talks with the Government of India, its strength must have increased manifold and this is a reality that New Delhi must be aware too.

Separate flag and Constitution seem to be the two points which either side cannot come to a meeting point and to even think that the final settlement may be inked sans the NSCN (IM) will definitely send the message that in the long 22 years of negotiation, neither side was ready to listen to the other.

This is where questions may well be raised on the Framework Agreement.

“They have mischievously dragged in the Framework Agreement and began imputing unnecessary contents to it,” is the line maintained by Interlocutor to the peace talk and Governor of Nagaland, RN Ravi while briefing the media on the status of the talk at New Delhi on October 19.

So if the NSCN (IM) is left out of the final pact, will this see a return to the days when the Shillong Accord was signed in 1975 and which followed the long years of clashes between the NSCN and the NNC or the Accordists as they were known ?

Tough to say but this is one likely scenario that can develop if the matter is not handled with care and sensitivity.

On the other hand, this may however not mean that even if the final pact is signed sans the NSCN (IM), the peace process will be over between it and the Government of India.

This is also a possibility and with the NSCN (IM) still wedded to the idea of a Greater Lim, the neighbouring States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur will need to be on their toes.

Nowhere has the NSCN (IM) hinted that it has dropped the demand for a Greater Lim even though this has not been given that much prominence in recent times, but the possibility of the Lim demand rearing its head anytime in the future cannot be ruled out.

What if the Government of India is open to the idea of a Lim demand if the NSCN (IM) drops the demand for a separate flag and Constitution ?

These are all speculations at the moment, but possible outcomes in the days to come.

And anything may happen in the next few days and this is what all would be keenly watching and not only those whose fate is directly at stake.