It was on August 3 2015 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present and also announced to the nation the historic signing of the Naga Peace Accord that later is better known by the name of Framework Agreement. During the event the prime minister also categorically said that the signing of the peace deal did not just mark the end of a problem, but the beginning of a new future. It is reported that Isak Swu, the then chairman of the NSCN(IM) was instrumental in reaching the agreement and that it was his wish to sign the peace deal as early as possible since his health was deteriorating fast. Although he was not present at the event, his contributions in playing a leading role to the peace talks was mentioned by the prime minister himself. The hurried manner in which the framework agreement was signed somehow became evident then on, maybe not hurried with the contents of the agreement itself but it was hurried to initiate the process for the final settlement. Mr. Isak Swu passed away hardly a year after the signing of the agreement and even his first death anniversary was commemorated just recently at the organisation’s central headquarters. The time is ticking fast and in another month’s time it will be the second anniversary since the signing of the framework agreement between the GoI and the NSCN(IM). Coincidentally, July 25 will also mark the attainment of 20 years after the Government of India and the NSCN(IM) signed the ceasefire agreement in 1997. The ceasefire came in to effect from August 1, 1997. It is only natural that there are now various opinions and speculations doing the rounds with regard to the contents of the framework agreement although the officials have been continuously stating that the peace deal is just a framework agreement. However, it is also only natural that not only the patience of the negotiating parties but also the patience of the people is being tested in one of the longest ceasefire agreements in the country. Another factor to take into account is that there are many other armed groups and factions of the NNC and NSCN that have cropped up during these last 20 years. The Naga public also have finally taken an upper hand unlike the years when the armed groups use to be the ultimate say in their turf. Moreover the public may also have become smarter and will not hesitate to choose because the inter-factional clashes have provided the public with the opportunity to choose among the groups as was witnessed in recent years. Although there were designated camps, the NPGs became part of the mainstream over the years and there was some form of a parallel government being run by all the groups. These are abnormal times that is like a sickness to the society and further prolonging of such a scenario will only cause more damage. A logical conclusion to the Indo-Naga problem is the need of the hour. As the framework agreement enters its second year since signing, the next one month will be awaited by all for any new announcement of progress. It not only will save the face of the Prime Minister who even talked about it in his Dubai visit a few days after signing the agreement. Moreover, with the state assembly elections due in early 2018,the ruling NDA is also at a precarious situation unless this issue is dealt properly if it wants to increase its fortunes in this North-eastern state.
