Naga Peace Accord : NNC apprehensive of more distrust, division
Source: The Sangai Express / Courtesy: The Morung Express

Dimapur, August 23 2015: Naga National Council (NNC) on Saturday expressed apprehension that the Naga Peace Accord signed on August 3, 2015 between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) would be a revisit of the 1975 Shillong Accord and a harbinger of further division and distrust not only amongst the Nagas but between the Nagas and India.

This was highlighted in a letter of 'perusal and introspection' addressed to RN Ravi, Interlocutor to the Gol-NSCN (IM) talks by NNC vice president Thepushuyi S Keyho and made available to the media.

Giving his point of reason, the senior NNC leader explained that the Shillong Accord which was signed in 1975 between the Naga "underground� representatives and the Gol sowed the seed of dissension and division among the Nagas -it gave birth to NSCN in 1980 .

Due to differences within the NSCN camp, more divisions came up, NSCN (Reformation) being the latest one to be formed this year, Keyho stated.

He said at present there are altogether four groups of NSCN while within the fold of NNC there are five separate NNC groups - a consequence of the controversial nature of the said accord.

"The accord thus not only destroyed the unity of the Naga national workers but also brought about much bloodshed and conflicts among the Nagas,� he asserted adding, "Whether or not it (Shillong Accord) was originally designed to bring about untold troubles upon the Nagas, it is very clear that the accord gradually fractured both Naga aspiration and Naga unity� .

He, therefore, said it is hypocritical on the part of the Gol to say that it is committed to solving Indo-Naga conflict and at the same time capitalize on this division by constantly furthering divisive spirit among the Nagas- either by declaring one group an outlaw or entering into ceasefire and related agreements with another group or remaining completely indifferent to some others.

The NNC vice president also alleged that the Gol, through its various agencies, masterminded the formation of the Naga People ' s Convention (NPC) and signed the 16th Point Agreement (1960) which resulted in the statehood formation of Nagaland in 1963 .

Pointing out that instead of taking initiatives as part of the agreement to consolidate the 'contagious Naga areas within the Nagaland state,' Keyho said it has so far succeeded in not only dividing the Nagas more but also suppressed the rights and freedom which Nagas traditionally enjoyed.

"What was once a free Naga land without any authority over us is now divided up into different parts wherein a great part is now under different political and administrative control of non-Naga states such as Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh,� he rued.

According to Keyho, the most tragic part of the agreement was that other states have "shamelessly come to think that Naga lands belong to them and making a hue and cry to protect their territorial integrity� .

In the light of the above discussions, the NNC leader said it was not difficult to suspect the intent and possible consequences of the Naga Peace Accord (2015) as yet another accord similar to the previous agreements which only succeeded in multiplying and magnifying the problem due to their exclusive and manipulative approach.

And even though indications are given on the part of both Gol and NSCN (IM) to be inclusive in its approach, Keyho said it is still a matter of serious speculation about the framework of the agreement to safeguard the rights and aspiration of the Nagas as envisioned by the pioneers of NNC.

"Perhaps peace is the guiding force and logic of this agreement as the name of the agreement itself suggests but the truth of the Indo-Naga conflict is about the sovereignty of the Nagas,� he said.

As such, instead of solving the Indo-Naga conflict, the Naga Peace Accord is likely to bring about further division and distrust not only amongst the Nagas but between the Nagas and the Gol as witnessed in our historical experiences, the NNC leader feared.

While reiterating that it was not prepared at any cost to deviate from the original outcry to leave Nagas alone, the NNC questioned RN Ravi if the Gol is gearing up to repeat another error in history by still thinking that the aspiration of the Nagas can be "forced or bribed into pale silence by special packages� .

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