Colonel Prakash Bhatt (Retd)
Ex Addl Dig Assam Rifles
Since Independence an entire generation of the Naga Society has lived in violence and uncertainty. At the present juncture the dreams of the youth for betterment of their lives has been shattered due to an endless wait for the elusive peace and development. The contentious issues and intransigence of negotiators have pushed the ongoing talks into the doldrums. The stalemate has led the Nagas to raise serious doubts on the sincerity of the negotiating parties and their motives in erecting insurmountable barriers so as to derail the negotiations. The various stake holders should clear the air on the following issues.
1. The multilateral Treaties of Versailles after World War 1 and at Paris after World War 2 were signed within couple of years of termination of the respective wars. So why has the Nagaland Ceasefire been prolonged for 23 years, including five years that have elapsed since signing of the secret Naga Framework Accord?
2. Why did it take five years for NSCN (IM) to discover anomalies and tampering in the text of the Framework Accord? Weren’t separate copies of the accord available to the various signatories?
3. f the Framework Accord was meant for the future and welfare of Nagas then what was motive of Government of India (GoI) and the NSCN (IM) to keep its contents a secret? And has it now been made public by the NSCN (IM) to put pressure on GoI by ‘leaking’ the ‘Shared Sovereignty’ clause to all Indians.
4. Why weren’t the contentious issues like Sovereignty, Separate Flag and Integration of Naga populated areas addressed sincerely by the parties concerned? Hasn’t Art 371(A) of our constitution adequately met the aspirations of Nagas and stood the test of time for over fifty years?
5. BJP has a Government at the Centre and also has State Governments in Assam, Arunachal and Manipur besides being a coalition partner in Nagaland Government. What stopped it from acting as a meaningful interlocutor for a satisfactory solution? Maybe the ruling party attached more importance to retaining power in those BJP ruled states instead of finding a solution for the Naga demands. Weren’t the circumstances which led to creation of Telengana, despite objections of Andhra Pradesh an apt precedence?
6. he demand of a separate state Flag could also have been viewed in a holistic manner by the Union Government. All the States/UTs could have been considered for grant of permission to have a State Flag (with conditions) to promote and respect Federalism and our motto ‘Unity in Diversity’.
7. After kowtowing to the NSCN (IM), did it require the Governors admonishment for the four term CM to muster courage to express that 23 years was a long period for a solution?
8. Didn’t GoI reveal its true intentions of non-seriousness in resolving the Naga issue by appointing the Interlocutor as the Governor thereby injecting doubts in minds of Nagas about his neutrality? Shouldn’t Caesars’ wife too be above suspicion?
9. Despite being in the IPS, did it take five years for the Interlocutor to discover that NSCN (IM) cadres were flouting Cease Fire Ground Rules (CFGR) with impunity, indulging in extortion and criminal activity, with a NSCN (IM) leaning State Government acting as a mute spectator?
10. It’s clear that NSCN(IM) and its captive organisations like Naga Hoho and NSF, in order to extend their stranglehold on Nagaland are creating needless controversies and putting spanner in the negotiations to protect their relevance and livelihood on doles dished out by the GoI from the Tax Payers money to which they have got accustomed too. It’s quite baffling that the NSCN (IM) flouting CFGR and its violent activities in the neighbouring states killing Security Personnel went unnoticed.
Isn’t the disclosure of the Framework Accord by NSCN(IM), a clear breach of trust with the GoI and an indirect threat to abrogate the Ceasefire. Expectedly the GoI has maintained a deafening silence on the breach of trust on the Framework Accord nor have the people of India been updated on its progress. Another moot question is did GoI keep the Framework Accord a secret due to the mention of ‘Shared Sovereignty’ clause which will never be acceptable to the Nation and may lead to similar demands elsewhere.
It would be pragmatic for NSCN (IM) to climb down from the Ivory Towers of Camp Hebron, as with each passing day it is losing support of Nagas and it just wants to act as a spoilt sport. Is it a coincidence that NSCN (IM) is talking tough when India is grappling with the Chinese transgressions in Ladakh? It may be recalled that NSCN (IM) traditionally had close connections with the Chinese Communist Party since the 1950’s and it is no hidden fact that it dreams to make Nagaland a One Party Ruled State under patronage of NSCN(IM) on the lines of Chinese Communist Party Model.
It is time that the GoI opens up discussions with the Naga Civil Society and takes a decision on the aspirations of the Nagas at the earliest .It is time for all stake holders to get serious and real and iron out their differences to usher peace and prosperity in Nagaland. If need be the Presidents Rule be declared and negotiations started by the GoI directly with the people of Nagaland and fresh Elections be ordered to elect a popular government by the Nagas, of the Nagas and for the Nagas. The ghost of AZ Phizo will continue to haunt NSCN (IM) for reneging on the Shillong Accord in 1975!
