Indo Naga Parley-3: Give this peace a chance

Dr Th Suresh *

Th Muivah seen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others on August 3 :: Pix - TSE

As we have no faith in Politicians, better that AMUCO & UCM give combine statement and submit concrete proposal- giving more power to autonomic hill districts within ambit of Sixth Schedule in Manipur is one option

Background : Though the ceasefire agreement was signed in July 1997, this accord has travelled 6 Prime Ministers since 1995–Narasimha Rao, Deve Gowda, Gujral, Vajpai, Manmohan and finally landing on the lap of Modi. In 2011, GOI and IM agreed to a framework and even released a joint statement. It was rumoured that an accord was about to sign during former interloculator R.S. Pandey's tenure at that time, but could not, mainly because of opposition by Manipur CM Ibobi regarding certain autonomy in the hills.

I even can confirm this when Governor Gurbachan Singh, in 2011, told a delegate (6 of us) who met him to submit one memo regarding "How to bring peace in Manipur" theme. He clearly told us that Manipur integrity is likely to remain untouched and a peace accord is on the card. Now, interlocutor Ravi claimed that 2011 agreed framework was without consultation with various stakeholders, mainly our CM Ibobi and khaplang faction, whereas the present one will include all stakeholders. We have to watch and wait.

Now that a framework has been signed on 3rd August 2015, the Nagas in general welcomed it. Congress-ruled neibouring states of Assam, Arunachal and Manipur cried foul, 1st through its party chief Sonia Ghandhi and subsequently by respective CMs. The reason cited being – no consultation and keeping in the dark. Sonia even accused Modi Government as arrogant and an insult to India's federalism. To some aspect it is true. Courtesy demands that the 3 CMs be informed about a framework with details to be worked out later by consultation with all stakeholders. I definitely wish PM should have called the 3 CM after the accord; that would have tamed the nerves. Compulsion of secrecy might be the unconvincing reason, 2nd reason might be incomplete details. However, this is a –ve aspect for Modi who tried so much for our N-E region. I wish he won't repeat such things again.

Urgency for signing : The NDA govt., after assuming office, had stated that the peace accord will be signed within a year. It is credible that the complex accord is signed within 1yr and 4 months of governance. All should appreciate it. It is widely speculated that 2 reasons are attributable to it : serious illness of IM chief Isac Swu and all party legislative delegate meeting with PM. I would add a 3rd one - personal monitoring by PM Modi.

The framework – after initial euphoria, it is certain that it is just a framework with broad objectives and details to be worked out in consultation with all stakeholders. To your writer - 2 things are crystal clear, 1st is Manipur and neibouring states' physical boundary will not be disturbed; 2nd is constitutional amendment to accommodate certain points of Greater Nagaland. It is the 2nd which needs critical analysis. It is certain that GOI will grant certain powers to the Nagas in general – more power to the hill districts, certain curtural integration etc. etc. Rajnath and R N Ravi spoke on those themes.

Manipur's point : For so long, our MLAs & politicians are unable to give a concrete proposal to Delhi. Hence, now, they should desist from trying to have museum effect by false statements and vote bank politics. People are fed up to hear these politicians' cry of "Manipur integrity cannot be touched". Nagaland politicians are far sighted, I envy them. Though previously our all party MLA delegation met PM and others during UPA regime, the same is not seen this time. Our politicians will only cry for the after-effect. They don't have a common charter of demand to accommodate in the peace talk and submit the same to the centre during the last 18 yrs. (out of which 13 yr is present CM Ibobi's tenure). All we hear from CM and others is "Manipur integrity cannot be compromised" during occasional flash points when rumour of inking the peace accord is heard. This has become a political slogan, a vote bank politics and trying to earn heroism. This is not governance, this is not what we aspect from politicians. Hence, Manipuris have to think and watch carefully.

Who is RN Ravi, the interlocutor? He was the Add. Director IB and i/c N-E sector. He not only expressed his opposition to AFSPA in the region, not only once but twice, in press statements. I am appreciative of this; his statement is included in my PIL writ at Supreme Court. A smart gay that he is, Modi selected him from among many deserving candidates. He is, however, embroidered in 2 controversies regarding his meeting with Manipur CM and AMUCO. In his interview to The Telegraph on 13/08/2015, he spoke of several meetings with our CM Ibobi before the accord. This was hotly denied by CM secretariat.

The same is true of AMUCO, who confirmed of an invitation from him, but denied meeting with him. They, however, confirmed of sending memos to PM & HM not to infringe upon Manipur territorial integrity. There is no reason to disbelief our CM and AMUCO. I am unable to grasp Ravi's role about his statement.

Muivah's rhetoric : His claim of ' Govt of India agreeable to shared sovereignty' and 'no let up to demand of Greater Nagaland' on his return journey on 12th & 13th be taken for public consumption. After all, the iconic leader is under immense public pressure from Nagaland and other militant factions. I have always maintained that Muivah and co be given a breathing space; a face-saving device is to be chalked out. Many Naga groups/individuals, including CM TR Zeliang, had spoken about reconciliation with neibouring states. Manipur should not over-react. Instead, we should concentrate on the points we are ready to accommodate.

What we can accommodate/ the alternative : In the 7th July meeting with PM and Home Minister, Modi clearly told our CM that all neibouring CMs will be consulted while finalising minute details. He was also told by Rajnath that territorial boundary of the neibouring states will not be affected but more powers be given to local bodies like Autonomic District Councils. Sangai Express also quoted our CM placing various copies of the existing laws, namely, Manipur (Village Authority in Hill Areas) Act 1956, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act 1960, Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 and Manipur Legislative Committee (Hill areas Committee) order1972 passed by parliament for administration of hill areas of Manipur to the 2 leaders. It was not clarified why our CM did so, perhaves he was impressing not to impose Sixth Schedule.

Here is the crux of the problem. In my previous 2 articles, I have suggested 3 lines of feasibilities. Your pen-driver still sticks to that, those are :

i) implementation of Sixth Schedule with a Kashmir type of rider under article 370 of the constitution to safeguard our territory for all time to come : The Sixth Schedule contains provisions as to the Administration of Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. It contains various wide ranging powers/provision. What we common people should understand is that various Autonomous District Councils for the above mentioned states are made under this Schedule. Manipur is not included in this Schedule. We should not be afraid of this Schedule. The territorial integrity of the above 4 states are not compromised by this Schedule. I always maintain that what is important is the contents and not the Sixth Schedule. Hence, certain misgivings about this is ill-founded. We should examine it thoroughly and come to its logical conclusion.

We should not object to giving more power to the hill councils. This will be not only for the Nagas, but also other tribes as well. It should be within the ambit of Manipur and not a pan-Naga as stipulated by IM and others. Similarly more powers be delegated to panchayat levels in the valley also. Whatever previous Acts/Laws the CM placed before PM & HM are useless and impracticable. These are patchy, ill-founded and adhocism and cannot stand time-tested scrutiny. Those Acts never brought any development in those areas. Rather, it encourages more corruption to the political-bureaucratic- thikadar nexus. This includes many MLAs and ministers belonging to hilly regions.

The Kashmir specific was made in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (i) of article 370 of the constitution and the said was added to article 3 of the constitution. Let me quote the exact words contained in The Constitution of India, 11th Edition, by P.M. Bakshi at page 418 :

(1) The preamble (2) part 1. To article 3, there shall be added the following further provision, namely : "provided further that no bill providing for increasing or diminishing the area of the State of Jammu and Kashmir or altering the name or boundary of that state shall be introduced in parliament without the consent of the legislature of that State." This is effective from 26/1/1950.

As a constitutional amendment is sure to take place, we should bargain for this Kashmir type rider so that we are not disheartened later.

ii) More power to The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971' which is amended 3 times – 1975, 2006 and 2008 : It was not mentioned under what article and schedule of the constitution the Act is enacted. This act has wide ranging powers. In spite of its 44 yrs, People are angry with anxiety and is due to sere lack of farsightedness, inefficient administration and corruption by various Governments who run the state from time to time. While demand for more power from the elected DC members grew day by day, the state govt. is unwilling to cede that. This is an unlikely option in the present accord as IM is unlikely to satisfy by this.

iii) More power and money to NEC : There is already an institution and a mechanism. What is required is its activation with a vision. If we can convince the centre and our Naga brethren, this may be the winning hit in the present fluid situation. Even without constitutional amendment, money can be earmarked direct to the various district councils of the neibouring states by the centre. This will also prevent misuse as well as corruption. If formalised, it will also enhance Modi's development plan.

Role of AMUCO and UCM : Give this peace a chance. As we have no faith in Politicians, it is better that AMUCO & UCM give a combined statement and submit concrete proposal - giving more power to autonomic hill districts within ambit of Sixth Schedule in Manipur is one option. Already they have worked together in Great June Uprising and other Manipur integrity functions. Now is the definite time to work together and show it to the public and to the centre. It is better that they give combine statement at this critical juncture. They may work for a common minimum point to submit to the centre. They can have a public discussion, they can seek individual opinions and arrive at a conclusion. This writer can also extend a helping hand, if asked for. Either way, it is very imperative now with urgency being the hallmark. They can have a look to the points suggested above. They should seek audience with PM and other central leaders. I am sure the centre will welcome such an audience. If Ravi invites them, they should welcome and meet him to put our points forward.

Conclusion : Manipur's habit of crying foul after ill- effects and exploding thereafter be kept behind. We should swim with the tide and feed our belly. For so long, MLAs & politicians are unable to give concrete proposal to Delhi. Hence, Politicians trying to have museum effect by false statements, pseudo-patriotism and vote bank politics are not welcomed at all. We have seen enough of their heroics. Finer points are to be left to the 2 credible organisations - AMUCO and UCM. The accord is likely to take months, if not years.

To your Opinion Maker, combination of suggested point i) & iii) seems the best option to submit to GOI. And while submitting the proposal, present boundary's existence since 12-14th century AD be emphasised with various tribes living together lovingly and peacefully. It also needs to emphasise that the forest between Doyang River and Dhunsiri River was the effective boundary of Manipur since 1835 with Kohima and surrounding areas belonging to Manipur till it was handed over to the British by king Chandrakirti at Jila Darbar on 11th August 1874 to the then Viceroy of India, Lord North Brook. This is long before the present Nagaland was formed and Greater Nagalim unheard of.