Youngsters may really not know the hostility as they were toddlers then, and now the ceasefire is more than 18 years with little action in preceding few years. The struggle had been hard and long drawn out. In fact, longer than the exodus of 40 years in the wilderness of Nagev Desert denoting the Nagas were more wanting than the stiff-necked Israelites. Framework Agreement signed between the GOI and NSCN (IM), a signatory on Nagas’ behalf, is the budding culmination of sum total of the sacrifices and pains undertaken by people of Nagalim for decades in advancing their common cause.The Framework Agreement still devoid of details has raked up apprehensions in our minds. Will we make it this time or will disappointment and gloom again betray our hopes? The positive foothold to start with is it appears this time there are genuine people in GOI and though the Nagas are fractured as usual, the current peace process is broad based, where all stakeholders including civil societies are involved. In a serious note, no one wants to miss the opportunity.
The cornerstone of the agreement is the concept of shared sovereignty, whereby India and Naga jointly exercise sovereign authority in harmony in respective predefined spheres. The idea is to reach a compromise by reconciling the competing positions of India and Naga, where the former recognises the unique history and situation of the latter, while the latter agrees to accommodate the former’s difficulty in granting complete sovereignty and thereby reaching an amicable agreement to co-exist on equal footing for mutual benefits. As the duel is indecisive, futile and weary, they have to shake hands.
Conceptually, the abstract definition seems to hold its ground. However, when put in perspective in terms of flesh and tangibility, there are two possible outcomes: without or with territorial integration of the Naga areas within India.
The first would envisage a Pan-Naga governing body, for dispersed Naga areas as the deal is short of territorial Integration, with statutory authority to preside over issues related to Naga culture and customary law, and would also entail limited say over land and resources and for promoting development to be exercised by the body as hemmed in by the scope of four territorial States. That’s limited, and is for namesake.
Shared sovereignty would lose its meaning without crucial subject of law and order and other law making and financial powers enumerated in State list over dispersed Naga territories that remain with the state of Assam, Arunachal and Manipur and they would definitely compete with one another in discrediting and scuttling the Naga body. The State of Nagaland would quarrel with the same as it would see the latter infringing and eroding her power domain and some square headed politicians in the name of real politick will create a mess out of it. The outcome will be a big confusion and failure and for sure, it will not work!
For GOI, in short term perspective, it’s easier an option to claim the Naga issue settled this way. However, it is unlikely the aspiration will soon dissipate after hoodwinking the battle weary Nagas into signing an undoing deal for themselves. The feeling of betrayal will soon be re-echoed and a more virulent form of movement may resurface. Consequently, peace will remain elusive and Naga areas will remain like the wretched Roman Britain where military remained the only semblance of the Empire for all time it ruled there. That will be a cruel wasteful labour lost!
The second option is to go for Naga territorial integration or augmentation of existing territory of the Nagaland state for which a provision is provided in Indian Constitution where consent of states is not mandatory. Indeed, GOI may have to ruffle some feathers here. The concept of shared sovereignty together with territorial integration appears to be viable.
The inclusive territory will become a full-fledged State with authority over law and order and other subjects enumerated in the State list. In addition, shared sovereignty status would guarantee supreme rights over their land and natural resources, culture and tradition. If so, the envisaged Pan Naga body would rather become like a Society under Society Registration act of 1860, entrusted to promote the interests of Nagas in Myanmar and around the World. Yes, it will work!
With this arrangement in India and corresponding similar arrangement put in place for Myanmar Nagas, then there is no reason to believe that the Nagas will remain unsatisfied and so will the contended hordes definitely become a constructive force in North Eastern region and for that matter anywhere in India. It sounds too good, but can be done.
To conclude that the deal is assembled in right configuration, one can now safely climb over a rooftop, in a broad day light and announce from there to the world, “The Naga issue is hereby, resolved for ages to come and for sure peace and tranquility will return in the hills and valleys of the Nagas, across India and Myanmar. Peace be with you all”.
