Looking at politics of peace talk : With June 18 approaching
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: June 10 2019 -

With Modi returning to power in a big way, the sense of urgency to take the ongoing peace talk with the NSCN (IM) to a logical conclusion would have received a renewed thrust.

And not without reason. Remember it was just a little after a year that the BJP led Government took office that the much tom tommed Framework Agreement was signed on August 3, 2015.

The initial cold reception given to RN Ravi when he was first appointed as the Interlocutor to the peace talks by the various Naga civil society organisations after the BJP led Government came to power in 2014, is now passe’ with the former Intelligence official demonstrating that he has it in him to walk the fine line.

And so far RN Ravi seems to be doing a good job, with no complaints having come from the side of the Naga CSOs.

At the same time the former Intelligence official has also been able to reach out to many CSOs of Manipur conveying the message that the final pact will not hurt the interests of the neighbouring States.

What has however made everyone jittery is the recent announcement of the NSCN (IM) that the ceasefire pact is not confined within the boundary of Nagaland but is in fact enforced in all the areas where the Nagas live.

That this did not go down well with the people of Manipur was clearly demonstrated with the UCM first setting an ultimatum to the Centre to clear the air of apprehension.

It was under this air of apprehension that the UCM recently met Chief Minister N Biren and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister of the country questioning the geographical ceasefire coverage.

It is amid this atmosphere of uncertainty, with the NSCN (IM) saying one thing and the Government of India earlier saying another thing, that thousands will turn up to pay homage to the 18 persons who were martyred during the Great June 18 Uprising of 2001.

Even as preparations are underway to pay fitting homage to those who have laid down their lives under the call to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur, the march towards a logical conclusion to the ongoing peace talk will proceed.

The question is which way will the dice roll once the pact is finalised and inked ?

How will New Delhi walk the tight rope to ensure that the final pact is inked without hurting the sentiments of anybody, particularly those who sit on either side of the Lim divide ?

The politics of the peace talk has clearly taken its toll and it was not without a reason why the Congress spearheaded a movement some time back with the call that anything that poses a threat to the understanding of Manipur as a distinct political reality will be opposed tooth and nail.

This call was made against the then emerging likelihood that some sort of an autonomy may be granted to areas where the Nagas live in Manipur under Article 371 (A) which is in force in Nagaland.

The apprehension over any such arrangement which may dilute the understanding of Manipur as a political entity still stands and it is against this backdrop that June 18 will be observed in 2019.