Indo-Naga Peace talk :: Various options available

Dr Th Suresh Singh *

Time not to say - 'specifics are not told by Centre'
Time to say - 'Manipur can tolerate this much'

Recapitulation: It is now clear from the Centre that Manipur integrity will not be compromised. Promises made by PM, Sonia Ghandhi, Home Minister ect. have been kept. At least we should be thankful to the Centre for this. What the Centre is trying to do at this juncture is - to find a workable solution within the state as far as our state is concerned. However, NSCN(IM)'s outwardly posture of greater Nagalim remains. This we, Manipuris, should understand.

What is the recent scenario? : The peace talk is now in final stage. There is also no doubt that everyone of us want a lasting peace solution. But Gen. Secy. Muivah, as recently as 6/11/2012 stated in Hebron that there will be no solution without unification of Naga inhabited areas meaning Nagalim. He further added that unification may be today or tomorrow- this is a must, without this, there will be no lasting solution. This statement is significant and needs further scrutiny. To me it looks like a circumstantial posturing.

What about Naga National Council (NNC) ? : Recently it also rejected a solution within the constitution. Its leader Kaiho who still is a close friend of Muivah, as recently as November, 2012, stated that the solution lies in a separate constitution for Nagaland / Nagalim. Significantly he also added that a single Naga group (meaning: NSCN-IM) holding consultations with NGOs will not bring permanent solutions.

What about Khaplang group? : It has signed a truce with the Centre in 2001, but no negotiation took place so far. The group is also of the view that no lasting peace is possible in the region if other factions are not involved in the peace talk. Off and on, its top leaders insisted that Sovereignty of Nagaland would be the basis for peace talk with the Centre; also added that consultation with the Naga people would be a priority before taking any decision. One of its significant stand is also its position that 1951 Naga plebiscite, where 99.9% opted for sovereignty, would be the basis for peace talk

What about Nagalim? : Perhaps NNC and Khaplang faction is very soft on this stand whereas IM is very vocal about it. This is the difference Perhaps emphasis 'Perhaps' again. All factions want consultations with various Naga NGOs. Whether these NGOs are strictly for Nagalim again requires minute scrutiny. Does our Nagaland brethren really want a greater Nagaland which will remain confrontationist specially with Manipur, without any solution? This is again the million dollar question.

Meanwhile Eastern Nagaland people are now very vocal about their backwardness and are demanding a separate state away from present Nagaland. What about them? I am of the opinion that some form of autonomy within Nagaland will be incorporated in the final accord.

On the Arunachal front, Peoples' Forum of the region has stated that Tirap, Chalong and Loding should not be included in the present peace talk. They had informed this to PM in December, this year.

On our home front, Kukis are demanding their homeland by organizing bandhs etc. and publishing controversial demand maps. I presume their grievances will also be addressing in the coming accord.

Back to Manipur, what is happening? The Hon'ble CM Ibobi is as silent as - what to say! During his absence, his deputy Mr. Gaikhangam, here and there, stated his belief that Manipur integrity and public emotion will not be disturbed during this final round. In another statement he stated that, as the details of the final draft is not known, the state is not considering the issue. Compare this with Assam CM Gogoi's bold stand that there will be no change in Assam's territory; but he is all for emotional integration of Nagas within his state. Why the Manipur CM and his Deputy is not bold enough like Gogoi at this critical juncture? Manipuris are not satisfied with this 'Golden Silence'. On the contrary, it is giving various anxieties to all sections of the society.

What about our MLAs? : It is great that representatives of 7 opposition parties met various national opposition leaders at Delhi around 1st-2nd week of November, regarding Loktak phumdi Scandal. But the more important question is - why not these respected representatives do the same at this final stage of Indo-Naga peace talk ? Then comes the all important question - why not all representatives of MLAs of all political parties do the same and meet central Govt. representatives as well as various opposition leaders at Delhi? What is preventing them is the 'Chakraview' the Manipuris have to ponder. Compare this with the representatives of al1 political parties of Nagaland who went to Delhi 2/3 times and pressed for a solution before March next. They are even wil1ing to resign from their MLA seat.

What about our NGOs/intellectuals? We have criticized the Govt. various parties, MLAs etc. in very strong terms. We have also clearly stated that Manipur integrity will not be compromised at any cost. There are also lots of discussions/seminars about Sixth Schedule, Autonomous District Council, ect. But what we failed is our inability to suggest a credible solution at this final stage. We go on and on criticizing without offering a credible solution.

What about a combine team of NGOs + intellectuals + respected figures etc. go to Kohima /Dimapur and reach out to Naga NGOs and explain our position? Why not convince them our ancient and glorious history of Manipur which are based on historical facts.

Considering our inherent weakness of inability to offer solution to a particular problem, the writer would like to offer - the following solutions. While doing so, neither does he claim to be the all­knowing type nor the only final one. Everyone is welcome to offer a better one. He, however, thought it duty-bound as a Manipuri to put it in black and white for consideration by the Govt., opposition leaders, NGOs and intellectuals for a hindsight.

Various options available:

1. Ref. Sangai Express dt 27/11.2012 : It is reported that in the draft proposal there is a provision for amendment of Article 371 (a) of the constitution for the Naga inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. As I am not clear about this proposal, neither would like to comment nor recommend it.

2. Power under Sixth Schedule: As noted in previous paras, this has been discussed off and on at various fora / by various intellectuals without any content. The important is : what are the contents to be implemented under this Schedule ? It is important to remember here that under this Schedule, the Centre has created Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Dima Hasao Autonomous Council and Bodoland Territorial Council with the aim to give more power to the-region to-decide their fuyure.

This Schedule has utterly failed in Assam. Governor J.B. Patnaik last year stated that this has failed utterly in delivering justice to the common man and led disgrunted youths joining militant ranks. The ULFA under Paresh Baruah take it as a divisive policy of the Centre to create enmity and bloodsbed between Assamese people.

Hence with our common peoples' suspicion of it as a future basement for demand of a separate Nagalim, Manipur should reject it totally. The Govt. and various NGOs/intellectuals should cite Assam Governor's frank and fair comment while negotiating.

However, I would put a rider here - in the draft proposal, if it is incorporated that Article 370 will also be implemented in Manipur as done in Kashmir and the contents of the draft will be open to Manipuri public, then, people of Manipur should agree to it. This will also give a face-saving to Muivah and co. However, to the writer, whether the Centre will agree to this rider seems a distant dream.

What next then? We are left with the following 2 options only:

3. More power to the Autonomous District Council: Manipur is implementing it for the last 20 yrs. or so. But it has utterly failed to deliver the justice intended for the hill areas. It is due to shere lack of far-sightedness, inefficient administration and corruption by various Govts. who run the state from time to time.

It is also a fact that, had it been implemented sincerely and proper development ensured in the hills, the present demand of Nagalim and Supra-state etc. would not have arisen. We have to admit that the development in the hills is almost negligible with benefit going to a few contractors, politicians and administrators. The same is true in the valley except Greater Imphal Area and surrounding areas of district hdqs.

Hence giving more powers to the present Autonomic District Council with delegated power to the village head, preservation of tradition, culture, arts ect. is one of the viable options. What are the powers to be given needs through diScussion? The CM should consult all political parties, NGOs, intellectuals ect. for the same and arrive at a consensus.

4, More funding and more power to NEC : The writer would like to point out that recently NEC had sanctioned Rs 5.l7 crore for a hostel at Karong, 7.197 crore for playground at Parbung, Ccpur, 7.38 crore for ADC Ukhrul and 5.40 crore for Senapati ADC. Many more are in the pipeline; there is no dearth of development money. Various Schemes under it remains unimplemented /half-implemented due to lack of willpower, knowledge,. unable to submit proposal in time and not knowing what financial management is all about. This includes state finance dept where bureaucratic nature is the core and modern management technique is alien to them. The same is true for various secretaries / commissioners who run various depts. for the namesake.

It is worth to mention here that, yours truly, while working as Health Director utilized funds under various schemes /projects, 100% for 3 consecutive years for a complex deptt. like Health. He intend to take up Financial Management of Manipur under a different chapter. At present, it is worth to mention that various Heads of Deptts. are alien to what modern management is.

With NEC presently remaining under-utilized with ageing bureaucrats running the show, the once attractive institution is now without a vision. Hence it can be re-activated through the present peace talk. There is already an institution and a mechanism; when and how to use it only remains to be decided.

Hence, to me the combination of 3+4 is very viable, worth considering and worth implementating. While doing so the following needs attention:

i) We have to give a face-saving space to Muivah and co. Remember both Isak and Muivah are ageing, above 80 yrs. They definitely would want to have a permanent solution during their life time. Every move/ speech/ negotiation should be under the umbrella of 'give and take'. It is time to tell Muivah that you are a Manipuri Naga brethren born in the eastern side of Manipur and not a Nagaland Naga. Hence come on, join our mainstream, fight election after the Accord and become a Chief Minister. We all welcome you.

Similarly a face-saving space is also to be given to the Centre so that a lasting peace is brought to the state / region. All of us should restrain ill-feeling words, ill-feeling speech and ill-feeling intention which are communal in nature. It is really time for tolerance, acceptance and brotherhood. A few leaders' provocative speech, a few Civil Societies' provocative action be tolerated to the utmost by the Manpuris (both hill & valley) in General. Every one of us should utilize this present stage of peace-talk to the utmost as everybody wants a permanent solution.

ii) Considering the lack of all-round development in the hill areas / backward areas as pointed in the preceding paras, our civil societies, intellectuals and church leaders should form watch-dog body to exclusively monitor the works and funds utilized in the hills and other backward areas of the state. If concretised, this will go a long way in future.

iii) CM Ibobi should strive for a consensus for suggestions 3 & 4 above by involving opposition MLAs / leaders, Civil Societies / intellectuals ect. and present the same to the Centre. This will also lessen his burden considerably.

iv) A delegation of all MLAs + leaders should visit Delhi and meet and brief opposition leaders 1st and PM, Sonia Ghandhi and Home Minister next for the same solution cited above.

v) A delegation of civil societies + intellectual, should visit Kohima -Dimapur to meet Naga NGOs/civil societies and explain our position. The team should convince them about our ancient and glorious history of Manipur which are all based on true history. The team should tell our Nagaland brethren that now is the time for forgiveness, brotherhood' and look forward to future.

If it is done so, the coming new year may bring peace and development in this neglected N-E region. This may bring a shinning region in future just like a bright star in the far horizon.

Conclusion : By this time, CM Ibobi must be having the core contents of the parley. Having understood the compulsion of secrecy in a sensitive negotiation, let me come to the theme of this article in order to avoid future violence, i.e. CM should speak, the opposition parties should speak and the people of Manipur should demand what are the contents of this sensitive negotiation.