Autonomy for the Nagas ? Stake holders on board
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: October 01 2018 -

Some sort of an autonomy for the Nagas after the final deal is signed between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India.

Taking all stake holders on board before the final deal is inked.

This is the likely development that Manipur and the North East may see in the coming days but the interesting point is, how well will such a formula go down with the States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.

Something will obviously have to be given to the NSCN (IM) after all these years of political negotiations but what is that something which will be acceptable to all the people is the question that follows.

And taking all stake holders on board. What does this actually mean ?

Does this mean that major civil society organisations which have been standing by the understanding of Manipur as a distinct socio-political reality will be taken on board, or will the Centre take only the State Government ?

These are speculative posers at the moment, but questions which will assume importance in the coming days.

Opposition to all models of settlement worked out will not exactly go down well with the Naga people and not only the NSCN (IM) and this is a point which should not blow over the heads of anyone.

At the same time it should also be kept in mind that diluting the essence of Manipur as a geo-political reality will not be acceptable to the people of Manipur, particularly those who for ages have been standing by the idea of Manipur as a distinct political reality.

Apart from the CSOs and the people, what can be the approach of the BJP led Government at Imphal to the possible models that have been floated around ?

It is also important to keep in mind that there could be a design behind the selective leaking of ‘news’ or information, regarding the likely final outcome of the peace talk.

Is it a test to study the likely reactions of the people of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh or are these models really being worked upon ?

This is a question which should be kept in mind and hence the need for all concerned not to jump the gun.

However all possibilities should be kept in mind so that no one else can steal a march ahead of the people of Manipur.

As repeatedly pointed out in this column, it is the final outcome of the peace talk which will have the biggest impact on Manipur and this is where the BJP led Government need to keep its ears and eyes rooted to the ground reality.

Study the pulse beat of the people and at the same time convince New Delhi that the interests of the State and her people are not harmed in any way.

And as stated above, something will have to be given and it is this which the people should acknowledge.

It is also of utmost importance for all to keep their cool, study the reality and not get swayed by trouble makers, for such elements coming to the fore to grab limelight cannot be written off that easily.

The coming days can be anything but comfortable for the people, but it is important for the people on either side of the Lim divide that nothing positive can come about by hurting the sentiments and interests of the other.