N. Rong
The Political Talk between Government of India and NSCN(IM) is probably one longest talk that started as far back on 1995 even before signing of ceasefire Agreement was signed on 1st August, 1997. The talk seen a remarkable occasion of signing Framework Agreement on 3rd August, 2015. On that evening both Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and NSCN(IM) General Secretary Th,Muivah spoke in the presence of Union Home Minister and other top ranking officials from both the sides. The claims and counter claims is doing the round from both sides.
The NSCN(IM) is making a claim that the solution that is expected come out of Framework Agreement will be shared sovereignty having its own Flag, Constitution, Passport, Sovereign rights over land and resources, beneath and above covering the entire Naga areas in India. Whereas on the other hand, the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs denied the claim of NSCN (IM) as appeared in various print media. Naga people stood for sovereignty since the start of its movement for nationalism, which started way back in 1918 through the formation of Naga Club and subsequent formation of NNC, NSCN (IM), NSCN(K) and recently NNPGs (coming together of 6 groups mostly based in present Nagaland State.) This write up is a layman’s observations on the impending solution that may be finalized out of the Framework Agreement. Each Naga village was a republic-state having its definite geographical territory with absolute rights over its land and people having well-defined customary laws (which can be compared to modern day constitution or penal codes) as guiding principles to exercise self-rule. Whether big or small, each village has its own customary laws, well protected from any outside invasion.
These customary laws are still being practiced till date. Of course, the Indian courts have come up and police stations are being placed in various points in Naga territories, the Naga villages still follow its old customary laws to settle cases within the village or without the village. Therefore, Naga customary laws are still very much prevalent even up to this modern days. Naga people are having strong faith on its customary laws even in this modern civilization. There are citizenship rights, entitlement laws, to govern within its citizens/villagers and also have foreign affairs laws to deal with other villages/entities in the ambit of customary law. Each Naga village is an entity itself having its unique laws with definite territory. Although each village is independent from another village, the Naga villages share common streams, rivers, mountain ranges, culture and tradition. Most commonalities are also found across the Naga villages and tribes. Head hunting was common in all Naga tribes (villages). Usage of wooden plates/earthen pottery items was common to all Naga tribes.
The Naga Hoho has its own constitution as a traditional apex body of the Naga people. Therefore, as a common man, it is strongly convinced, own constitution is the inherent rights of the Nagas substantiated with the historical facts and realities. Nagas and Indians are racially and ethnically two different people, and therefore, there must be separate means of identity for Nagas before the world community. Hence, separate passport is the natural rights of the Nagas. Having said this, the existing realities indicate the embarrassing moment for the Nagas who travel abroad frequently, the foreign countries never believe the Nagas (Mongoloid) stocks are Hindustani. To establish that Nagas are Indians to the world community by the fact that Indian passport being the legal identity document as a prove of world citizenship although back at home Nagas assert for separate Nation from India and Burma as well. Nagas having separate passport is a natural right of the Nagas.
The Framework Agreement cannot afford to leave out this natural justice for the Nagas which was long overdue. As known, that Nagas are distinct people with definite territory being asserting for its legitimate political and historical rights before the world, have its own Flag, government, constitutions through Naga Political Groups. It is honored as much as it is honored by any sovereign country under United Nations. Therefore, the separate Flag for the Nagas is recognizing the ‘unique history and situation’ of the Naga people. Naga Nation, to all the Nagas it is a Nation, although denied by the India and Burma is a member country to UNPO-Unrepresented Nation People’s Organization.
The Framework Agreement, if at all to be finalized soon as the media reported must recognize the legality of the Naga as nation with its representation to the United Nation. These are common people’s understanding that Framework Agreement must broadly address to, if the Government of India is serious enough to address the Naga issue amicably and honorably. As a common man view point, India must read much ahead of time with telescopic lens, that having Naga Nation as its young partner can pay rich dividend for her own security across the vast stretch of International borders and also to enhance its Act East Policy to connect South Asian Countries passing through Nagas’ territory. India is looking for ‘security and economic stability’ to present herself as global power.
Therefore, India is addressing these two vital areas, when she solves the Naga issue keeping in mind the long term affect, that Framework Agreement must address by recognising “Nagas as a Nation with its constitution, separate flag, passport and representation to United Nation,” which are very much inherent, inalienable, intrinsic historical and political rights of the Nagas. To this end, all political parties cutting across its party lines must raise to the occasion to support the settlement of Naga case, to usher in a new era of peace, stability securing security and economic stability as mentioned.
