The critical issues of Framework Agreement

Dr L Krishnamangol Singh *

What is the political pholosophy of NSCN (IM), conceived in the Framework Agreement recently agreed between the Government of India and the former ?

They seek to achieve a separate political autonomy and authority for the Nagas that are mainly inhabiting in Nagaland and perhaps in its neighbouring states like Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

In fact, the famework agreement issues have now reached a cirsis stage before it comes to a final solution between the two parties (i.e. the Government opf India and the NSCN -(IM). Therefore, it is now proposed to bring out some of the implicaions (effects) of the said agreement that may affect the neighbouring states of nagaland like Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

To begin with it is proposed to take up the question of Political flag demanded by the NSCN (IM). In fact it is not reasonable to demand for a separate political flag for the Nagas.

The Government of India is aware that their demand for a separate political flag will affect India’s sovereignty and also create adverse effects a various aspects In fact the separate political flag demanded by the NSCN - (IM) will politically pollute or affect the Indian tri colour Independence flag, which represents or symbolism the Indian sovereignty or sovereignty of the country once granted, the NSCN-(IM) may freely use their flag or may fly their flag freely without using the Indian tri colour flag.

Another dark aspect of granting their demand for a political flag or a separate flag for the Nagas is that they may overlays one side of the Indian Indipendence flag with another side of their flags or they may overshadow one side of the countrys flags (Indians flags) very closely with another side of the Nagas flags .

This brief analysis reveals that onces the seperate political flag demanded by the NSCN(IM) is granted, it is like the partialisation of India’s sovereignty. This will have or create for-reaching political implications on Indias.

As the noted economist (Late) Ashok Rudra clearly pointed on ‘Sovereignty cannot be partialised”. Again, ,a separated political flag demanded by the NSCN(IM) still implies the fulfilment of the first principle of revolution althrough they are now involved in the process of final peace talk (between the Government of India and the NSCN(IM).

In fact ,a separate political flag of within a sovereign country is the “principle of revolution”. Thus , the NSCN -IM’s demand for a separate political flag is the beginning of yet another revolution (armed revolution) against the Government of India . In fact, their colour of revolution will still continue and it will never end .

There is also the possibility to replace the Indian flag with the political flag of NSCN(IM) in Nagaland and other Naga inhabited areas immediately or in the near future once their demand for a separate political flag is granted or approved by the Government of India. Thus ,it is necessary to denature their demand for a seperate political flag.

There is still apprehension that the cultural flag for the Nagas may even substitude for the Indian tri-colour flag for various purpose in Nagaland and other Naga inhabitated areas in the neighbouring states.

This line of argument cannot be easily refuted as there will be two types of flags in Nagaland when the cultural flag is approved. And there will be confussion when the two flag are used for one purpose or the other. In fact, it is not necessary to grant for the use of cultural flag as an alternative to the demand for a seperate political flag for the Nagas.

In the final framework agreement, or the final Naga peace accord (between the government of India and NSCN-(IM), the question of cultural and political flag need not be mentioned as a special status for the Nagas. It is well known that under the Indian constitution (Article 25 and Article 29), the Indian states have already enjoyed cultural and religious rights.

This implies that every state in India has the right to practice or hoist the cultural flag in the non-political or non-official ceremonies of different communities. Thus, it is not necessary to single out cultural flag for the Nagas when the final framework agreement is inked.

In fact,it is well known that the Indian constitution does not favour cultural and religious supermacy of any community or group against other communities. Therefore, the question of a seperate official recognition of the cutural flag for the Nagas as their special status need to be avoided in the national interest when there is time.

And also, the political flag needs to be immediately rejected in the national interest. In fact, there need not be any irrational decision which deviates from the equilibrium point. Thus,the final framework agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN-(IM) needs to be confined to the state of Nagaland only.

And , on the question of seperate constitution for the Nagas, it can be pointed out that there cannot be a seperate contitution for the Nagas as the Indian sovereignty implies only one constitution (i.e the constitution of India or the Indian constitution.

In fact it is high time to formulate new policy measures for evolving new institutional mechanism or system in order to promote a comprehensive matrix of participative institution or a new development system under the respective state governments, particularly in the North-eastern states of India, including Manipur.