Discussion of Naga issue held in Delhi

Forum for Understanding the Naga-India Conflict & Human Rights (FUNICH) organized a discussion on the topic “Naga-India Conflict: Then & Now” on March 6 at the University of Delhi (DU).

In a statement, FUNICH said the discussion focused on bridging the gaps that had developed over the years between the Nagas and the people from Mainland India. The session was chaired by Dr. R. Vashum, associate professor, IGNOU.

Dr. Vashum began the discussion by introducing the two speakers for the occasion – Gautam Navlakha and Dr Kumar Sanjay Singh.

He also briefed the participants with the history of the Nagas and their “struggle for independence” and how the Indian state had been involved throughout the struggle.

Noted democratic rights activist Gautam Navlakha, also associated with Peoples’ Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR), Delhi spoke on the Nagas’ right to self determination movement and the response of the Indian state.

Elaborating the “Indian’s state war on its people”, Navlakha highlighted the counter-insurgency policies adopted by India in Naga areas.

Navlakha compelled the audience to understand how the Naga areas became “test labs” for the various draconian laws.

Dr. Kumar Sanjay Singh, associate professor, department of history, DU spoke on the topic “Indo-Naga Peace Talk: The reality & the challenges.”

Dr Singh elaborated on the negotiation structure that the Indian state has maintained throughout the 15-years of peace talks with the Nagas.

“The truncating of rights in every successive accord is the same” was how Dr. Singh summarized the accord-making of the Indian state.

He further discussed on the nature of the talks between NSCN (I-M) and the government of India and criticized the way the talks had taken shape questioning whether this was a sign of “the failure of the leadership” or whether it could be decoded as “the perversity of the people who represent the government of India.”

The discussion was attended by assistant professors and students from the department of social work, DU along with other students and scholars.