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Nagaland : Peace talks, ‘now a distant dream’ |
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Nagaland has completed Lok Sabha polling with a high voter turnout, a complete contrast to the boycott some years ago, backed by the underground, which propelled SC Jamir of the Congress Party again to power. Last year, Jamir was ousted in ‘Assembly elections and Neiphiu Rio seized power.
In the light of the blistering attack by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland on the BJP as untrustworthy and duplicitous (they also reportedly kidnapped a number of BJP workers and supported an independent candidate in the Outer Manipur constituency), it is interesting to review a statement issued before the elections on the ongoing peace process between New Delhi and the Nagas, made by Hokishe Sema, state BJP chief, a former chief minister and a current MLA. It is also a warning to the present chief minister and drew a furious and predictable response from the NSCN (I-M).
“The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland promised an early political settlement in our Common Minimum Programme... Thirteen months have elapsed and we are still at the starting point... Our government has been charged with delaying with a view to getting more resources commensurate with our requirements. The present situation is that our Naga brothers in all factions are required to collect funds for their own survival... A very costly peace.
“The present trend is not on the right line. The policy to maintain equi-closeness with all factions is not on our Common Minimum Programme. Equi-closeness corroborates us in all their actions good as well as bad. As Naga representatives, we must give correct inputs so that our brothers in the NSCN can arrive at a good and acceptable solution. We are silent spectators to cease-fire ground rules and cannot remain contented with only publicity value.
“Given the stance of both GOI and NSCN, especially on the question of Sovereignty and Integration of Naga areas, a deadlock may arise... I appeal to all members to take a keen interest and shoulder responsibility... so that a Final Settlement is possible with dignity not only for the NSCN but also all Nagas.
“This august House has passed a Bill for the handing over of continuous Naga-inhabited areas to Nagaland many times. This is technically different from the demand for territorial integration of Naga areas by NSCN. Any solution to be acceptable has to be with the intent of maintaining good relations with neighbours, whether it is India, Myanmar, Manipur, Arunachal or Assam, in future. Naga integration should not disintegrate other communities and cause turmoil in the region. Without this basic change in approach, we are heading for a deadlock in negotiations.
“More than half a century of living under different administrations has effected the perception of people towards a common Naga state. Tribal interests are also a weakness... Tribal affinities will dictate future relations and it may be worth considering having more than one Naga state with special status and facilities as in now enjoyed in Nagaland but under a social and cultural umbrella organisation in the first phase.
The statement says that the lack of organised popular movements by Nagas in other parts of the North-east demanding integration had made the “case weak in the eyes of India and the world.”
Gowda clears stand on integration
Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president Deve Gowda has denied assuring the Nagas that he was prepared to work for the integration of Naga-inhabited areas.
In a letter addressed to the JD (S) state unit president W. Kullabidhu Singh, party national secretary Bapu Kaldate quoted Gowda as having denied making any such promise. The letter said Gowda had told the election rally in Dimapur that he would “work for a consensus among the political parties and the people concerned to resolve the Naga problem peacefully.”
Gowda’s clarification follows a storm of protests in the city triggered by the alleged assurance reported in several Imphal-based dailies.
According to the reports, the JD (S) president had promised the Nagas integration, which the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) has been demanding for long.
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