Why Naga Peace Talks lost track ? - Protagonists of Frustration

Nirendra Dev *

Kohima's famous NDPP-BJP regime does not seem to be in favour of the Common Draft. Nagaland Governor La Ganesan's customary address to the state assembly should make the Status Quo club and the 'deep state' happy and feel relieved. The speech failed to draw any road map and offered no new point.

The Governor's address merely refers to Nov 21, 2024 (read failed) meeting between Nagaland CM Neiphu Rio and Ministers with Home Minister Amit Shah - where the delegation claimed to have expressed "desire" for early solution of the long pending Political Issue.

"We have been working to fulfill our commitment to the people of our State. This House has collectively taken steps to ensure the peaceful resolution of the Naga Political Issue," the words from the Governor revolved around the much repeated line taken by the Status Quo club from time to time.

"I thank members of this august house for their whole-hearted cooperation in this important matter. Further, on 21 November 2024, the Chief Minister accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues met the Union Home Minister and apprised him of the desire of the people for an early solution of the Naga Political Issue." - Governor said.

To speak the least, his Excellency, the Governor has been economical with truth. If he referred to the Nov 21 meeting, he should have mentioned the key demand (reportedly made during the meeting) when a new interlocutor was sought. Needless to add, the demand was rejected by Amit Shah outright.

With Governor La Ganesan making a damp squib speech and avoiding any confrontation with the 'unstated' policy of the NDPP-BJP regime, the focus may now shift to the debate the members will have during the week-long Budget session of the state assembly.

The assembly session got underway on Monday, March 3, on the backdrop of NDPP chief Chingwang Konyak making a surprising admission that the talks have ended on Oct 31, 2019. What is stunning to discover is that Governor La Ganesan's address did not even have the 'face value frankness' of what NDPP chief Chingwang had said.

Hence, the 'deep state' is not a typical American creation; even those taking inspiration from Beijing can have their 'deep state'. What makes the Govt of India give so much rope to the double engine apparatus in Kohima is a million dollar puzzle. The clock hands have come back to the same point where it all started.

The world is back in the old quagmire of ... the profound decision maker - there’s NO POLITICAL WILL to do anything differently.

Governor La Ganesan's address thus is a self-defeating statement. It is proof that the so-called popular Govt in Kohima is not in tune with the most popular demand in the state - a Common Draft.

The Governor's address does not seem to do the necessary justice to the relentless efforts made by A K Mishra and his team during recent deliberations with NGOs, senior citizens and the Naga Hoho and the GB Federation.

There is inertia and that well known refrain - our system is making us fail yet again. When 'failure' in a real sense appears as a success; the DEEP STATE has won ! Extortion has been glorified too.

We all have been unnerved to find ourselves agreeing with the skeptic who had said -- If you are driving a car and you drive towards a wall and hit it, is that a crash ? Or -- and perhaps more importantly, is it the failure of your passengers to anticipate the danger?

Some would still say survival wasn’t that bad. But those who died are not in any seminar or otherwise to 'contribute' their views. An army captain posted in the Meluri area in the 1990s is a senior Lt General today. One - the then NIDC chairman - is the state Chief Minister. A journo who thought fleeing Nagaland is the best option of life is back again here and there penning his blogs.

The beloved ones of those deceased are still shedding tears. Everything returns to its roots where it manifested. Right time never comes; you have to make the time right.