National Roundtable Conference Peace Process in Northeast India at IGNTU
Last Date : 19th April, 2014

Call for Papers
Two-Day National Roundtable Conference
Peace Process in Northeast India

Organised by
Department of Social work
Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU),
Regional Campus, Manipur

Date: 24-25 April, 2014 Venue: IGNTU Conference Hall

Sponsored: Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi

Concept Note:

Peace remains elusive in the Northeast India. The situation of armed conflict has in fact escalated in the region over the years posing a challenge to one’s life, livelihood chances and human rights. Increase in the number of armed-opposition groups, who are engaged in turf war, sphere of control/area domination and armed conflict with the Indian State, etc. is a clear indication towards the phenomenon conflict situation in the region. At present, almost every ethnic and sub-ethnic group has an armed opposition group not only for security and protection but also subscribing to the ideology of independence from India and sovereignty. In the case of Manipur alone, the Ministry Home Affairs states that there are more than 40 “insurgent” outfits operating in the erstwhile sovereign kingdom.

In such an alarming situation, the obvious question that strikes one’s mind is if any efforts have been initiated from any “concerned” parties, be it the Indian State or any other, to bring about peace in the region. And if such initiatives are present, why is that armed conflict continues unabated? Or does the Indian State solely depend upon militaristic approaches as the only viable alternative to deal with the conflict situation, which it terms as internal security or law and order problem? These questions needs serious deliberations, as today we stand witness to a situation when almost every peace initiatives undertaken by the Indian State has resulted in undesirable fallouts with the exception of the Mizo Accord at least at the macro level.

Broadly, so far India, in the region, has used four models of peace engagement with the armed opposition groups, selectively depending upon the perceived degree of threat to the security of India. However, with the exception of the model of peace building through cease-fire agreement as in the case of the cease-fire agreements entered with the Naga outfits (National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN)-Khaplang, NSCN-Khole-Kitovi and Naga National Council); the remaining three belong to the larger category of peace talk. These include peace talks (with or without ceasefire) at the ministerial level and the level of the Prime Minister, suspension of operation (ceasefire is inherently qualified) and signing of accord after rounds of talks. In each and every case, India has denied involvement of a third party (nation state or international organization).

Peace talk with the United Liberation Front of Asom (Pro-talk or the Rajkhowa faction) and NSCN (Issak-Muivah), respectively, are illustrations of the first model. In the second model referred to as ‘Suspension of Operations’ (SOO), large numbers of “small” armed groups are currently engaged from across the states in the region and are kept in “designated” camps similar to the case of the NSCN-IM. The last model is characterized by making constitutional mechanisms such as the Bodoland Territorial Council or the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).

Inspite of the presence of such peace mechanisms/initiatives, peace continues to be elusive in each and every state of the Northeast. Fratricides have increased in Assam and Nagaland. And in the case of Nagaland and Manipur, numerous Naga outfits have emerged challenging the mandate of the NSCN-IM, thereby undermining the very basis of the secret (sic. undisclosed) peace talk between the Government of India and NSCN-IM. Moreover, the peace talk has not arrived to a logical end after years and rounds of talks; bringing about a political solution to the vexed Naga problem remains distant.

Similarly, despite efforts from the Government, “genuine” armed outfit has failed to enter into SOO with the Government. Finally, territorial councils, instead of bringing about lasting peace is marked limitations of the constitutional designs, thereby, creating troubles and contention between the inhabitants on the lines of “us” and “them”. This has, indeed, posed a challenge to the practice of federalism in India.

The limitations of such peace initiatives on one hand, and on the other, the failure to engage other armed outfits are responsible for the present conflict situation and resultant human rights violations in the region. Over and above, peace initiative of a different kind followed by India, popularly known as Military Civic Action (MCA) Programme, wherein the State forces are used to win the confidence of the civil population through programmes such as hosting of feasts, sports meet, construction of bridges and roads, medical camps, etc. have acted as deterrents against incursion by the armed opposition groups.

Beyond the official language of peace, these cannot be construed as peace building as they are largely targeted against the civilian population as deterrent measures and thus, usurpation of the civil space, legitimized by the presence of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). And such usurpation by the State forces is beyond the norms and practices of democracy. It is our understanding that conflict resolution is the first step towards peace building and it can be possible only when dialogue takes place between the conflicting parties. This is not to deny the role civil society as a stake holder but the issue priority. Peace shall remain elusive as long as the terms of engagements remain one dimensional.

With this background, the proposed seminar seeks to examine the following sub themes.
o Counter insurgency measures: Militaristic approaches, Institution of NIA and Military-Civic Action Programme
o Review of Peace process: MoU, Suspension of operation and Cease-fire agreements
o Towards peace: Peace initiative/building, constitutional measures and others
o Others related to the theme

Interested individuals can submit abstract (500 words) in English and Manipuri with author profile (50 word) on any of the sub-theme at on or before 19th April, 2014. Selected abstracts will be notified by 20th April, 2014

For Details Contact:
Seminar Convener
Dr. Hanjabam Shukhdeba Sharma
Department of Social Work,
Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Regional Campus, Manipur
hanjabam(at)gmail(dot)com