Tali Longkumer, IAS (Rtd)
The Framework Agreement between the Government of India and the NSCM (IM) that was signed on the 3rd of August 2015 was kept in total secrecy and never made it known to the public at large, though a number of NGO’s even including the State Government, for whichever reasons, have already supported this agreement. It was only on the 16th of September 2017, after a lapse of two long years of suspense, the hush hush secret documents of this Framework Agreement that exposes the provisions for a Pan-Naga-Hoho was disclosed to the public through the initiative of an individual. Since the said document is not officially disclosed, there may be possibilities that some rectifications may be made before it is finally and officially released for the public consumption if at all it is released. My observation therefore will be confined inclusively to the original contexts as printed in the local dailies on the 16th of this month.
The said documents have raised more Questions than Answers. In the first instance, Whereas the said documents relates directly to the very well being of its Citizens specially to the State of Nagaland, Why on earth the document is kept a guarded secret for so long? The contents of such documents should have been made known to all its stakeholders to enable them to examine the issues before it is finalized. It is indeed outrageous that such Agreement that will have far reaching Consequences involving, not only the interest on the State of Nagaland but few of its neighboring States, are decided in total secrecy between the Government of India and the NSCM (IM), leaving all other stake holders in total darkness. One wonders how such documents that contain elements of improprieties could be signed with the full knowledge of none other than the Prime Minister of India himself. Does the document speak about some hidden agendas?
What about the involvement of the elected Sixty Nagaland Legislative Members that are duly elected by the people to protect and preserve the constitution that also includes the Special Provision for the State of Nagaland under Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India? In the present Agreement where they have not participated, the honorable MLA’s of Nagaland are to be accommodated as representatives from the State of Nagaland under the Pan-Naga-Hoho where their status will be at bar with the elected members of the Nagas from other States. Will our honorable MLA’s be satisfied with such arrangements for the sake of fraternal conglomeration? Will they lump the idea that their fate and their future are decided elsewhere without their participation? These are million dollar Questions that need to be explained.
The agreement appears more like a rehabilitation baggage and an act of appeasement for a particular group but much less an agreement between the Government of India and the Nagas as a whole. The proposal on Pan Naga Hoho appears idealistic but will not be workable. It appears that it was specifically designed to fit in those that need them. Pan Naga Hoho is an attempt in calling for Nationalism and a clarion call for the Nagas to unite and there is nothing wrong with that but the proposal lacks practical application. Should the Pan be confined to the dreams of building up a unified platform for social, cultural, ethnic and emotional issues of all the Nagas under one umbrella, it may perhaps be workable but when the Pan is assuming Executive and Financial powers beyond its social concern by stretching its arms into its neighboring States, there will be problems. Let us be aware of this fact that in a Federal form of Government as we have in India, every States as far as its local issues are concerned, are independent of each other and I do not think none of the States will ever tolerate to simply remain a mute spectator in watching some other agencies from outside the States, fiddling in the internal affairs of their States. Such ideas will create more problems than solutions.
Nagas cannot tolerate any forms of imposition. It is our inborn nature. Should there be any kind of Agreements; the same should be mutually accepted by the people of Nagaland as a whole, instead of imposing upon them. This is a reality that should be heard loud and clear by New Delhi.
