[Assam] assam Digest, Vol 24, Issue 56

[ranenkumar goswami]

10-year-old NSCN-IM truce brings peace to Nagaland
(The Assam Tribune, July 24, 2007)
By R Dutta Choudhury
 GUWAHATI, July 23 – Nearly ten years have passed
since the cease-fire agreement between the Government
of India and the NSCN (I-M) came into force and it
will take some more time before a final agreement is
reached with the militant outfit. However, formal
talks with the NSCN (K) are yet to begin though the
outfit has also signed a cease-fire pact with the
Government of India.

Highly placed official sources said that the
cease-fire pact with the NSCN (I-M) came into effect
from August 1, 1997 and the present term of the
agreement would expire on July 31. The Government of
India and the outfit, in a meeting held in New Delhi
on July 20, agreed to extend the term of the
cease-fire pact by one more year and the formal
agreement in this regard is scheduled to be signed in
Kohima on July 31.

Sources said that though signing of a formal agreement
with the NSCN might take some more time, there were
quite a few positives that were visible in the last
ten years and the leaders of the outfit also softened
their stand on several key issues. The biggest
positive aspect of the ongoing peace talks is the
restoration of peace in Nagaland. Sources pointed out
that though there have been instances of attacks and
counter attacks by the militants belonging to the
rival factions of the NSCN, the common people of the
state have not been affected and the State and the
Central Governments could also take advantage of the
peaceful situation to embark on development
activities. The people of the State have also been
able to take active part in development schemes, which
is another positive outcome of the cease-fire
agreement.

Over the years, the NSCN leaders have also softened
their stand as series of meetings helped in melting
the ice. There was a time when the leaders of the NSCN
only talked with the Government on foreign soil, but
now they have started coming to India for talks. The
cease-fire agreement also gave a chance to the top
leaders of the NSCN to visit Nagaland and hold talks
with the common people to know their feelings, while,
on the other hand, it also gave the opportunity to the
Nagaland civil society to voice their opinion before
the NSCN leaders. Sources said that different social
organizations of Nagaland and even the common masses
could now put pressure on the NSCN leadership to
continue extension of the cease-fire agreement and to
look for a peaceful political solution to the
problems.

Giving details of the actual progress of the peace
talks with the NSCN, official sources said that the
Government of India had categorically told the
leadership of the outfit that granting sovereignty
would not be possible. “The Government has told the
NSCN that solution to the problem must come within the
framework of the Constitution of India and the NSCN
has also agreed to give up the demand for sovereignty
and they have agreed to remain as a part of India. The
NSCN now agreed that they would agree to remain as a
part of India under “a special federal relation” and
on its part, the Government is also of the view that
the Constitution is not rigid and it could be amended.
Now discussions on this issue is going on,” sources
said. Sources also pointed out that the Constitution
of India already provided some special provisions for
Nagaland on issues like right over land and resources
and the special customary and traditional laws
remained untouched.

On the reported demand of the NSCN for greater Nagalim
with areas of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh,
official sources asserted that the Government of India
would not agree to reorganize the existing boundaries
of the States. The Government has made it very clear
to the leadership of the NSCN that the Centre would
not redefine the existing boundaries of the states
without the approval of the concerned state
Governments. It may be mentioned here that the
Governments of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur
have already voiced their strong opposition to the
demand for greater Nagalim by including the land of
these states.

Sources also said that the Centre received allegations
from the Governments of the North Eastern states that
despite signing the cease-fire agreement, the NSCN
members were actively supporting other militant groups
of the region. The Assam Government has alleged that
the NSCN was extending help to militant groups like
the Black Widow. Official sources said that the
Government of India has asked the NSCN to stop
indulging in such activities. “Of course, the NSCN
denied the allegations but the Government made it
clear that such activities should be stopped,” sources
added.

Sources also admitted that signing of any agreement
only with the NSCN(I-M) might not solve the Naga
political problem. But formal talks with the NSCN(K)
are yet to start. Sources said that the NSCN(K) has
not placed formal demands before the Government to
start the ball rolling.
 
  
 
 


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