When the government of India and NSCM (IM) signed what was described as “historic peace accord,” a framework agreement for Naga peace, on August 3, 2015, Nagas were elated in the hope that peace would finally come to their land. The official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office was no doubt a resounding assurance that solution was knocking at the door. It said “the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) successfully concluded the dialogue on Naga political issue, which has existed for six decades,” and the agreement was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with interlocutor for Naga peace talks RN Ravi signing it on behalf of the Indian government and the then NSCN chairman late Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Th Muivah on behalf of the NSCN. “This agreement will end the oldest insurgency in the country. It will restore peace and pave the way for prosperity in the North East. It will advance a life of dignity, opportunity and equity for the Naga people, based on their genius and consistent with the uniqueness of the Naga people and their culture and traditions,” read the statement.
The declaration was vivid. While it gave instant gratification and an unprecedented optimism to many, others were cynical because of past broken promises and deception. A year went by, then two and three without any indication of signing the final deal. The “Naga peace accord” completed its fourth year two days ago. There is nothing to celebrate about this time after the tall promise is being reduced to a sort of melodrama. Something that appeared to be at arm’s reach at one point of time has been dragged on for years. Several consultative meetings have been held between Ravi, now the governor of Nagaland, and Naga civil society organisations but it didn’t bring any positive outcome. Today, the blame for the delay in solving the Naga political issue has been indirectly put on the public- that the impediment is not from anywhere but from within, citing the disunity among the Nagas. While it holds true to some extent, it is also important to know that it is impossible to have “absolute” unity in any society. When India got its independence, there were hordes of educated Indians who supported the British. India would be in the clutches of colonialism even today if absolute unity is the criteria for solution. Every society has black sheep, and Naga society is no exception. But letting the general public suffer just because of a handful of pseudo nationalists and intellectuals is unfounded and undemocratic. Temporary fulfilment, rhetoric and appeasement policy will not help anymore. Gun power can kill people but not issues. So, it is best for both the parties to solve the issue amicably based on the fundamental principles of human rights. Anything outside the ambit of peace will prove costly. If there is any disagreement over the framework agreement, which was supposedly documented upon agreed terms by both the government of Indian and NSCN (IM), it needs to be solved before misunderstanding and mistrust creep in. Or else the historic accord will become history and chaos will return.
