While Nagaland looks forward to the New Year with hopes that the Naga political issue would be resolved; there are fears of worsening factional conflict in Nagaland between the NSCN/GPRN (Khaplang) and GPRN/NSCN (Khole-Kitovi).
Tension continues to be fanned by various statements from the NSCN/GPRN (Khaplang) and the GPRN/NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) that witnessed a spark on Dec 19 that inflamed into clashes on Dec 22 at Ghukiye village, then Zunheboto on Dec 23, Dimapur on Dec 28 and Kohima on Dec 29
Territorial dominance between the two, which, till May 2010 were one, is evident with the demand for establishing of designated camps in other areas, following the division in June 2010. While factional feud between the two may likely witness escalation to other districts, the NSCN/GPRN (Isak-Muivah) group is waiting on the outcome of a series of negotiations with the government of India since cease fire came into effect in 1997.
Presently, the three groups –GPRN/NSCN (Khole-Kitovi), NSCN/GPRN (Isak-Muivah) and NNC/FGN (Singnya-Vero)– have agreed in principle, to form a “Naga National Government”.
Meanwhile, in his New Year greetings, NSCN/GPRN chairman Isak Chishi Swu, had mentioned of a solution to the decades-old Naga political issue, within the New Year 2012.The solution mentioned, would be on the basis of negotiations held between the NSCN (I-M) with the government of India.
Media speculations on the ‘supra state’, a report gleaned from documents purportedly made available by an official functionary at the Centre, has further added to confusion.
As it were, the present state of Nagaland enjoys constitutional guarantees under Article 371(A) where no Act of parliament under certain subjects, can be applicable, unless so passed by the state assembly.
Knowledgeable sources maintained that the so-called “supra” status was essentially pertaining to the socio-cultural aspects of Naga society which are already recognized under the Indian constitution.
Besides the protracted factional problem among Naga political group, despondency in Nagaland also comes from the proposed “Frontier Nagaland” statehood demand by the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO).Though the NPF government has chosen to lob the ball at the centre’s court; it would appear that the Centre has been left holding the egg belonging to the state.
Manipur will be going to the polls by end of January this year and the NPF, which has decided to take on Ibobi Singh, has announced it will contest ten seats in the hill districts.
Political observers in Manipur, however feel that the wily Ibobi could turn the disadvantage to his advantage even as some feel, that even if the NPF wins a good number of seats, it would have to contend sitting in the opposition bench. Nagas of Manipur have also raised their pitch for “an alternative arrangement” and Scuttle state comprising of Naga inhabited areas.
The parallel between the EPNO demand in Nagaland and UNC demand in Manipur, would have to traverse through a difficult path. In the ultimate analysis, the year 2012 could well be a crucial year in politics and with the 2013 assembly elections looming ahead, political realignments cannot be ruled out.
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