A time to heal

 With the NSCN (K) led by Niki Sumi all set to revive the cease fire which the former had unilaterally abrogated on March 27, 2015 and ready to hold negotiations to finalise solution along with other Naga political groups such as– NSCN (I-M) and Working Committee of the 7-member Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), the deck is now clear for a broad-based solution. If the Niki Sumi-led NSCN signs the cease fire and then hold negotiations with the government of India, it will brighten prospects of a broad-based solution along with other groups. The government of India signed a ceasefire agreement with NSCN (K) on April 28, 2001; NSCN-(NK) on April 27, 2012, and with NSCN (R) on April 27, 2015. It may be recalled that on July 20, 2019 when government of India’s interlocutor R.N. Ravi was appointed governor of Nagaland, he had stated that there will be only one solution for the Naga issue. The development comes at a time when the much expected solution to the Naga political issue suffered a hiccup when the NSCN (I-M) said that solution will only be under the Framework Agreement its collective leadership (Th. Muivah and late Isak Chishi Swu) signed with the government of India’s Interlocutor R. N. Ravi on August 3,2015. Though the Framework Agreement did not specifically mention Naga flag and constitution, the NSCN (I-M) maintained that by acknowledging the uniqueness of Naga political history, the government of India also accepted Naga flag and constitution as part and parcel of the FA. The Interlocutor has made it clear that while there will only be one solution for one Naga issue and not several solutions with several groups; the time table for one solution will be followed. This also implied that the government of India won’t wait forever to get everybody on board, if some choose to not sign the agreement. The NSCN (K) remained under late S.S. Khaplang ever after many cadre members (mostly from Nagaland) forged unity with several cadre members of NSCN (I-M) on November 23, 2007. NSCN(K) under Yung Aung split after Nyemlang Konyak was elected as chairman of one faction. Niki Sumi who was with NSCN-led by Yung Aung was later expelled and formed another faction which is in contact with the government of India’s officials to negotiate an agreement. Solution to the Naga political issue now hinges with the government of India and what it has to offer within the ambit of the Indian constitution to ensure that peace will be permanent. If solution is arrived at, it will have a big impact on insurgency in the North East and possibly end the security problems in the region. India is also actively pursuing another strategy with Myanmar to evict all North East insurgent groups back to India. That strategy is also meant to prevent North East insurgents from coming under one umbrella. The Naga political issue has been traced by some to as early as 1929 with the submission of a memorandum to the British Simon Commission. However, even then Naga tribes were scattered within India and Myanmar and perhaps it would be a choice to remain in peace and unity than on factionalism and rivalry. In this, perhaps Ecclesiastes 3:1 reflects the need of the hour.