‘Yes’ for peaceful solution

 A state-wide rally held in Nagaland under the aegis of the Naga Gaon Burah Federation (NGBF) on March 9 reaffirmed support for securing an early solution to the several decades-old Naga political problem where several hundreds took part. The NGBF has initiated a representation signed by various organisations at rallies across Nagaland, addressed to the prime minister through the governor in Kohima and through the respective deputy commissioners in various districts.The representation urged upon the prime minister to not delay or prolong a final agreement since negotiations reached their final stage with agreed positions which concluded on October 31,2019. It may be recalled that the Interlocutor and governor of Nagaland R.N. Ravi held a meeting on October 18,2019 with all the 14 Naga tribes of Nagaland, all the minority non-Naga tribes of Nagaland, the Nagaland Gaon Burah Federation (NGBF), the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC), church leaders and civil society organisations where he shed light on aspects of the negotiations.According to NGBF, since negotiations have ended, it did not see any reason as to why the solution should be delayed any further. It may be noted that the Working Committee (WC) representing the seven-member Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) had stated that they are ready ink the final agreement anytime. The WC of NNPGs had signed the ‘Agreed Position or Preamble’ with the government of India on November 17,2017. It may also be recalled that the NSCN (I-M) had earlier signed the Framework Agreement with the government of India on August 3,2015. Negotiations to resolve the demands of the Naga political groups began after NSCN (I-M) signed the ceasefire agreement with the government of India on July 25,1997 and which came into effect on August 1,1997 and negotiations began in the subsequent year in September. Another ceasefire was signed with the then NSCN (K) on April 28, 2001 and talks began on September 3,2001 and later cease fire agreements were signed with other factions. In all, negotiations have taken place for the past 22 years or more. The most significant development was that prime minister Narendra Modi asked the Interlocutor to conclude the protracted negotiations with both NSCN(I-M) and WC of NNPGs, which was done on October 31,2019. While WC of NNPGs have given the nod to the government of India to ink the final draft as per their agreed positions, the NSCN (I-M) however insisted that its demand over Naga flag, constitution and Pan Naga Hoho (PNH) be included in the final draft.The government of India’s interlocutor has made it clear that the demands made by the NSCN (I-M) were unacceptable as they were not contained in the Framework Agreement signed in 2015 but only raised years later. The objective of negotiations is to arrive at an agreement within the ambit of the Indian constitution. It appears that prime minister Narendra Modi has decided to brave it out to secure solution in order to close the chapter on decades of conflicts. The issue involves not only for Nagas of Nagaland but also for Nagas living beyond Nagaland state, since negotiations exclude sovereignty and integration. Beyond rhetoric, elected representatives must also be clear as to what they mean when they maintain that talks should be “honourable” and “acceptable” to “all sections of Naga society;” and whether these are only in principle and also what contributions if any, they have made, towards creating a conducive atmosphere for ensuring lasting peace.