NSCN – GOI Accord, an accord for peace or pain?

Samarjit Kambam *

1. At the outset.

The Naga issue dates back to 1929 when the Nagas submitted a memorandum to the British Simon Commission on constitutional reforms to exclude the Nagas from any constitutional framework of India. With the coming of Angami Zapu Phizo popularly known as Phizo, the Naga Movement gained momentum in the late 1940s. Subsequently the Naga National Council was founded in 1946 thereby claiming an independent and sovereign state for Nagalim and even declaring independence of the contagious Nagas on August 14, 1947 as the British withdrew from their territory, one day prior to India’s independence.

With each side having a different story to tell, the Nagas were geared up towards “The Journey of Common Hope” whereas the Govt of India had termed their movement as “The Voice of the Misguided”. As per the founders of the Naga movement, Nagaland was therefore not a part of the Indian Union at the time of India’s independence. The issue remained an unfinished business between the Govt of India and the Nagas. Pissed off with the outcome of the Shillong Accord of 1975 signed between the Naga National Council and the Govt of India, the birth of NSCN, the military wing of the Naga confederation took place in 1980 with Muivah, Isaac Chishi Swu and S Khaplang at the helm with the objective of a sovereign Nagalim as a mark of Naga unity and integration covering regions of Nagaland’s neighbouring states of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and foreign country Myanmar.

The Naga issue gained greater momentum and thrust with the formation of NSCN. After a rift in mindset arosed, Muivah and Isaac Chishi parted ways with Khaplang which resulted into lineage of NSCN into NSCN(IM) and NSCK(K) and subsequently to a shotgun progeny called NSCN(Reform). However, agreement on sovereignty of Naga inhabited areas was never mutually signed between the descendants of NSCN and the Govt of India even though the right to self determination of the Nagas was recognized by the Indian Govt.

The Framework Agreement

Successive governments at the Centre failed to crack the ice on the Naga issue. The Modi government, however, has the nerves to draw the finishing line on the issue, an issue which had remained a headache of the government for so long. Modi has on a number of occasions and during visits to the Northeast region articulated his vision for transforming the Northeast and has attached priority to peace, security, connectivity and economic development in the region. This has also been at the heart of the Government’s foreign policy, especially ‘Act East’ Policy.

The Peace Accord has with great finesse been termed by the Govt of India as Framework Agreement signed between NSCN(IM) and GOI which was hatched with the firm belief of the centre to end the oldest insurgency in the country and to restore peace and pave the way for prosperity in the North East, a step that’s bound to herald into a life of dignity, integrity and equity for the Nagas based on the uniqueness of the Naga people and their culture and traditions.

Many, however, doubt whether peace will really prevail in the North East Region once the framework agreement culminates into the “finishing touch” accord. The haziness of the peace accord and the undisclosed content of the framework agreement is keeping many states of the North East on their toes. “Framework” has remained the buzzword in the region all the way since August 3rd this year. First we need to thoroughly understand what framework is or the framework being conveyed by the Govt of India. When it comes to a human body, a framework is more like the skeleton.

It is inside and outside the skeleton where the various body organs and body parts are contained and ultimately making a whole body part. The brain has to remain inside the skull, it cannot reside inside the rib cage. Likewise, the head has to rest above the neck, not at the groin. That’s where the usefulness of framework comes into play – to make the various parts fall into place so that the entity becomes one whole.

Before a house is built, it is the framework that matters most. The framework depicts where the living room is to be constructed, what proportion the size of the lawn would be, how many bedrooms to be made, where the kitchen is to be placed and the likes. The objective of the house owner is fulfilled when the construction of the house comes in consonance with the framework he carved earlier. What if Greater Nagaland or Nagalim based on sovereignty of Naga inhabited areas was infused in the framework?

If that so happened, then the Final Accord will transcend into redrawing of Maps of the states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Then what? I don’t think everybody will be contented saying “All’s well that ends well”. Chief Minister of Assam has many a times been saying that the territorial integrity of Assam will not be compromised at any cost. Lets keep aside the political bandwagon and the gibber of politicians for the time being. Listening to the people’s hearts should be the call of duty of the Modi govt especially the people of states neighbouring Nagaland in the prevailing tense scenario. Otherwise, like a latent spark into a blaze, the volcanic eruption of discontentment may take ugly turns.

Bizzare Indian democracy

India, one of the largest democratic set up in the world has of late acted quite bizarrely, scuttling information from reaching the media. It’s a wonder when we have rights like ‘Right to Information’ the people are kept in the dark about the Peace Accord. The national newspaper houses and various other media are left high and dry without having an iota of source to bring forth to the people on the contents of the framework agreement. Its tantamount to overshadowing the fourth estate as well as taking the people for granted.

As per our constitution, Mass media is also a pillar of a democratic nation apart from other pillars such as Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. That’s why mass media especially the ‘Press’ is called fourth branch of the government. And yes, access to information is essential for the health of a democratic nation like ours. It ensures that citizens make responsible, informed choices rather than acting out of ignorance or misinformation. The thick cloud of haziness of the peace accord arised out of the bizarre way of India’s democracy towards the media.

A Workable Solution

Mr Muivah was upright and courageous when he declared during a three day meeting falicitated by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) in 2011 that independence for the Naga Nation in the present international context and regional scenario is not possible. This shift of focus was not Muivah’s fault but it was a practical reality necessitated by the realisation that Naga’s nationalism for independence must be evoked in the right spirit through practical wisdom as opposed to an idealist view on sovereignty and independence. For the peace accord to hold and to be built upon, the government needs to involve all the stakeholders including other groups and members of Naga civil society as well as representatives of the neighbouring States.

Otherwise, the present agreement which is no doubt a landmark event in the decades-long history of the insurgency could falter in the months ahead. To recognise the Naga sense of identity without acceding to claims on the territories of other States, to allow the people of Nagaland greater autonomy in deciding their own lives and future without allowing concessions on the sovereignty of India are the challenges before the government.

The agreement should provide a basis for pushing ahead on these aspects and is a hard-earned opportunity that should not be lost. Founded on this premise, any negotiation process must focus on how Nagas can determine, safeguard and exercise their historical and political rights in a contemporary and inter-related world. A permanent solution acceptable to all Nagas as well as to all ethnic and indigenous groups in the region should be carved out to ensure peace in the North East region of India. Modi’s Act East Policy will see the light of the day only when peace prevails in the region.

Epilogue

Before drawing the finishing line on the Naga issue the Modi govt need to thoroughly retrospect the sensitivity of the situation and bring out means so that the beginning of a chapter of one’s peace do not lead to the dawn of a chapter of war for others.