After remaining silent for a long time the NSCN-IM finally broke its silence regarding the opposition to the forthcoming assembly elections. Although the Civil Society was quite vocal about it for some time now the opposition from the NSCN-IM came rather late, only after the announcement of elections in the state. As alluded to in various forums, the picture that was painted was that the Government of India and the NSCN-IM had completed their talks and only the final announcement of the settlement was left. The inclusion of the other Naga political groups was supposed to be one of the reason for the delay in the final announcement. This had led to the general uncertainty if elections were really going to be held in the state before the political solution was announced. As referred to in this space earlier too, the Government of India also needs to fulfil the constitutional requirements as non-conduct of election would lead to breakdown of the existing constitutional machinery. Added to it will be the complications of not having a democratically mandated house of representatives under the existing system which will be impractical at ground level and also show India in bad light globally, if the settlement has to be finalised . However the strong statement by the NSCN-IM against the proponents of elections before the solution might just indicate something more than meets the eye, especially of what the public were made to understand earlier. As there are no direct reference to the intricacies linking the conduct of the elections and the peace talks, speculations based on the moves and statement by both the players have become the trend. It becomes a breeding ground for rumours and other perceived threats not necessarily true. The way the leaders of country’s ruling party in the region is handling the current elections in the state, is also sending out the wrong signals. However, the resulting impasse does not bode well for the peace that has been achieved in the state as well in the region. There has to be a middle way because the conflict arising out of whether to conduct elections or not would be more costly than the division caused during elections. Once all the Civil Society also joins then there is no stopping until something symbolic is achieved. The leaders among the respective blocs; in Delhi, the Naga political groups and the Civil Society need to understand this one basic nature of mass movements especially in Nagaland. Moreover, if the recent representations against the conduct of elections are considered, the Naga Civil Society never looked so united as before. Even more united than the previous protests against elections just a year back. Unless wisdom prevails, it has become uncertain what the dark clouds in the horizon may bring forth.
