Guwahati: With peace talks between the Government of India (GoI) and Naga groups now in the 27th year, the Naga society wants a resolution, having grown weary to the ‘secrecy’ surrounding the talks, and the Centre’s alleged approach encouraging existence of more splinter groups, which they say has led to a ‘divided house’.
Despite the occasional optimism, the peace process, which began officially with a ceasefire agreement signed in 1997, remains stalled over the demand for a separate Naga national flag and constitution (Yehzabo) in recognition of “Naga history spanning over 70 years”.
New Delhi’s efforts and optimism, it appears, are at odds with NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah’s vision of cutting a deal for a “Nagalim sovereign territory”.
Last month, NSCN-IM issued press statements threatening to “resume armed resistance” if the Centre does not agree to ‘third-party intervention’ to address its demands, while also reiterating that the Naga flag and constitution are “composite materials of sovereignty”.
A government official told ThePrint that the Centre is focused on finding a solution for Indian Nagas, but not for those settled in Myanmar. “We have no jurisdiction over Nagas in Myanmar. We are well demarcated by an international border.”
A cross section of people, from youth leaders and church elders to security analysts, said the peace talks “lack transparency on both sides”. This has led to uncertainty among Nagas, with no visible changes on the ground, and hopes for a ‘final solution’ withering.
Ngukato K. Tsuipu, a member of socio-political outfit The Naga Rising, said there was “a lot of hope” among the youth when the peace talks started. “Now, people have lost trust in stakeholders; both [Union] government and NSCN-IM have kept contents of the talks a secret. The two sides have trust issues. If the talks collapse, we fear Nagaland could return to a pre-ceasefire era of violence and bloodshed. That’s the fear among the youth.”
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, Deputy CMs Y. Patton and T.R. Zeliang returned from New Delhi last week after holding talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the Naga peace process and Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation’s (ENPO) demand for a separate Frontier Nagaland Territory, it is learnt.
NSCN-IM leaders last visited New Delhi for talks in October 2023, and were there for a week before returning to Dimapur. Muivah (90) travelled between Delhi and Dimapur for “health reasons”, and was reportedly flown to the capital in a chartered flight for the talks.
Also Read: ‘Uneasy Peace’ between NSCN-K factions in Myanmar, Indian Naga leaders dismiss concerns
‘Both sides buying time, Centre fostering factionalism’
Stakeholders in the ceasefire agreement include the NSCN-IM, NSCN Khaplang faction (NSCN-K), Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) and the NSCN Niki Sumi faction.
In August 2015, the Union government signed a “Framework Agreement” with NSCN-IM to seek a lasting solution to the Naga insurgency. This was followed by the government and NNPGs arriving at an “Agreed Position” two years later. The Niki Sumi faction of NSCN was the last Naga group to have signed a ceasefire agreement with the Centre, in 2021.
The NNPGs, comprising NSCN (Reformation), NSCN-Neopao Konyak/Kitovi (NK) and splinter group of NSCN (Khango), among others, are a group of seven Naga outfits in talks with the Centre, but separately. There are currently an estimated 27 factions of Naga political outfits, each claiming to represent the community. Splits in existing outfits have led to two more groups coming up just in the past 15 days, it is learnt.
With Nagas straddling both sides of the India-Myanmar border, NSCN has had leaders from both countries. The only Naga group not part of the ceasefire is the Myanmar-based faction, NSCN-K (Yung Aung). Its breakaway group led by Ang Mai is accused of being in cahoots with the Myanmar military and contemplating its own ceasefire deal.
Even as the Naga groups in India have largely adhered to ceasefire ground rules, a common practice among them is collection of large sums of money from civilians, often referred to as “taxation”.
Vekhosaye Nyekha, an advisor to Tenyimi Union Dimapur (TUD), said delay in reaching a settlement might not be in the best interest of the Nagas, but it would be “worse for the Government of India”.
Tenyimis comprise 10 Naga tribes spread across Nagaland, Assam and Manipur.
“The public is fed up with extortion in the name of nationalism. All that common people want is a settlement. But it seems the GoI [Government of India] has failed to understand the mindset of the Nagas,” said Nyekha.
Nyekha also alleged that the Union government is encouraging the existence of “too many Naga groups,” which is adding to the complexity of the situation. “Both sides are buying time and the GoI is fostering factionalism. There are so many groups, some of which we don’t even know about. The ‘lollipop’ assurances given to them by the government are only dividing Nagas. What government is doing may not go down well in history. If ceasefire breaks down, everyone will be compelled to return to the jungle,” he said.
Tsuipu, quoted earlier, said existence of so many groups has only weakened the Naga movement. He warned that a failure in peace talks would lead to further factionalism, with groups taking sides “for and against ceasefire”. Referring to the ethnic conflict in Manipur, Tsuipu cautioned that a similar unfavorable situation could arise among the Nagas.
“If ceasefire breaks down, there could be violence among Naga tribes as well—among those in Nagaland and Manipur. Within Nagaland too, there is suspicion and mistrust among those supporting IM and NNPGs. Young people don’t want that. Ceasefire has brought peace, allowing young people to realise their full potential and live without fear,” he said.
Honli Yanlem from Konyak Students’ Union (Kohima) said various groups have differing priorities. Urging political leaders, Naga factions and civil society groups to come together, Yanlem said delay in achieving consensus is becoming increasingly frustrating for the youth.
“With time, our priorities seem to have changed. Earlier, Naga solution was the sole reason different groups were formed. But now, we differentiate among ourselves. Our leaders have forgotten why this movement even started. Unless our priority is set solely on the Naga solution, the same pattern of negotiations will keep repeating—without any solid result.”
‘Flaws’ in Framework Agreement
Lt. Gen. Shokin Chauhan (retd.), a former Assam Rifles director-general, said a “lack of transparency” on the part of both the Union government and Naga groups remains a major obstacle to achieving a lasting solution.
Chauhan, who also served as chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (Northeast and Nagaland) from August 2018 to August 2020, said ceasefire pacts with various Naga groups resulted in about “60-70 percent normalcy” in the state once torn by insurgency.
But all insurgent groups are unlikely to lay down arms unless there is a disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) mechanism in place, he said.
“Nagaland gained the dividends of peace through successful ceasefire agreements. Now, the civil society needs to discuss and debate some innovative solutions for a roadmap to the final settlement between the Union government and Naga groups. Also, lack of information regarding the Framework Agreement, which is still kept confidential, has led to public anxiety,” Chauhan told ThePrint. He also pointed out that internal dynamics within each insurgent group make the disarmament process all the more difficult.
“If you tell an insurgent group to disarm, you have to give them something. What you have offered to Naga groups is not reflecting. NSCN-IM has followed ceasefire ground rules, but flaws in the agreement have allowed them to continue recruiting more cadres,” he said.
‘Young people growing restless’
Ikato Chisi Swu, general secretary of Council of Nagalim Churches (CNC), a body under the NSCN-IM, said the Centre must go by the letter and spirit of the “Framework Agreement”.
NSCN-IM in a press statement last month said the “Framework Agreement” recognises the ‘unique history’ of Naga independence, ‘sovereignty’ of Nagas, ‘identity and territory’ of Nagas, and ‘integration’ of all Naga areas, besides ensuring ‘peaceful coexistence between the two entities: “Nagas and India,” who it said ‘share sovereign power’.
But according to Swu, the peace talks “are not going in the right direction because the government seems to be backtracking on whatever they said earlier”.
“The Framework Agreement was studied, and was formulated and signed only after both sides agreed to it. They [Union government] are now introducing new things. They are also allowing all parties to enter into a ceasefire, to collect taxes, and this is creating animosity among Naga people,” claimed Swu.
Zelhou Keyho, general secretary of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), said the “Framework Agreement” should be “publicly discussed”.
He outlined the church’s role in keeping the groups together, but said the ball is now in the Union government’s court.
“Regardless of public acceptance, it is time to clearly state what can and cannot be offered. Young people are growing restless. They want to move with the world and live like everyone else, but nothing is changing on the ground,” said Keyho.
Adding, “Whether in part, or a full package, we want a peaceful solution, and it can only happen when all Nagas come together. The house is divided at the moment. So, our role is to keep hoping, praying and working towards unity, and hammering out the differences.”
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
Also Read: Why is NSCN-IM upping the ante on Manipur, 2015 Framework Agreement on Naga political solution
Sweet lies. But lies nevertheless.
Naga history shows that they have never really wanted peace. The NSCN is the godfather of all northeastern terrorist organizations. It had no shame in accepting Chinese assistance with training, logistics and funding and engaging in anti-India activities.
Even within the nation, it consistently violated the sanctity of the Assam-Nagaland state boundary. It engaged in wanton violence in the state of Manipur.
And now the “leader” says Naga society wishes for peace. Laughable indeed.