Realm of solution

 One of the most commonly heard word is ‘solution’ with regard to the Naga political issue. The Naga political issue has defied agreement for decades despite creation of Nagaland state in 1963 since the NNC rejected anything short of total independence. Thus it became an intractable problem defying solution. Thus, finding a solution to the problem became problem in the face of rigid stands. The first cease fire that came into effect on September 6,1964 provided the first ever opportunity for peaceful resolution but almost nine rounds of negotiations between prime minister Indira Gandhi and the FGN delegation led by ato kilonser Kughato Sukhai eventually hit a roadblock over the issue of sovereignty. The rigid stands of both sides prevented a meeting ground where both could have ensured a win-win situation. The government of India under prime minister Indira Gandhi, could have offered anything short of independence had the very word been modified in so many other words. Anyway after the negotiations were called off, it was back to square one. The second cease fire came after 33 years when the NSCN (I-M) agreed to a cease fire in 1997. The third cease fire was signed in 2001 with the NSCN (K) and after the group abrogated the cease fire in 2015, the other faction which today is known as GPRN/NSCN, the fourth with NSCN (R), fifth with NSCN (Khango) and sixth with NSCN (Niki). After the much heralded announcement by former Interlocutor that since all official negotiations had concluded on October 31,2019 the final agreement was only a matter of time. However, there were developments subsequently and today, with a new Interlocutor and all negotiating parties reconnected, there is expectation of a solution soon. When, is the question in the minds of Nagas across the north east and even Myanmar. It may also be recalled that all state governments in the north east- Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh- are opposed to any peace deal that would affect their boundaries in case it involves enlargement Nagaland beyond its present political boundaries. In Manipur, where the Nagas have a sizeable population and whose lands make up 70% of the state; the Meiteis (Manipuris) have already made it clear that the final Naga accord should not hurt Manipur’s interests but appear more concerned about the state’s territorial integrity. It would be right if the concern was to give what is due and promote peace and harmony with the meiteis and various CSOs. There has to be consideration for even Arunachal Nagas– Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa and Wancho- who dominate three districts- Tirap, Changlang and Longding. Nagaland is the birthplace of Naga nationalism which were inspired by many firebrand leaders from erstwhile Naga Hills District and Naga Hills Tuensang Area. Solution is a broader objective since it goes beyond political agreement. It is an inward selfless commitment towards rebuilding, towards reconciliation between the victims and the perpetrators, towards rejecting all kinds of acts inimical to society, towards promoting accountability in all spheres- social, political and religious fields and also ensuring justice for the weaker sections who do not have the backing or patronage of powerful sections of society. This is the fervent prayers of those who see beyond rhetoric and politics. It is by those who want to ensure that solution bring lasting peace.