Naga Peace Accord could be a common reward

Aaron Keishing *

Commemoration at TNL Ground, Ukhrul for Peace Accord signed between NSCN (IM) and GoI on August 10 2015 :: Pix - Sunzu Bachaspatimayum

As Dr Th Suresh has categorically stated and opined in his thoughtful an Article titled 'Indo-Naga Parley-3" published in a local daily. I also believe that - (1) the territorial integrity of neighbouring states of Nagaland will not be affected by the Naga Peace Accord signed on 3rd August, 2015 as repeatedly assured by central leaderships; (2) there will be constitutional amendment or even separate schedule if necessary so as to accommodate certain unavoidable points of Nagas' demands on geographical integration in the form of more powers to the Autonomous District Councils; certain cultural integration, etc.

Suresh observed: "NSCN-IM general secretary, Th Muivah's claimed of his group not given up the demand for sovereignty and integration of all Naga-inhabited areas be taken for public consumption, as he is under immense public pressure from Nagaland and other factions." His points indicated his abilities to think in a logical way, digest and understand things correctly. Political slogans are not always the end, but the means to reach the end. Every statement could not be taken as a gospel truth in totality; statements may require as a command of survival, the process itself.

Further, Dr Th Suresh maintained that: "(1) Muivah and co be given a breathing space; a honor-saving device is to be chalked out. (2) Nagas have spoken about reconciliation with neighbouring States. Manipur should not overeact, instead, concentrate on the points to be accommodated." His suggestions are noteworthy, because the said accord is an accord whose time had come, to stay, after 97 years struggles with over 80 rounds of negotiations that spanned more than 17 years, and Nagas are unlikely to make obeisance to the State governments this time without some kinds of accommodation of their demands.

On the other sides, Kukis demand settlement of their issue before finalisation of the Nagas; Meiteis say, "Naga accord cannot be applied to Manipur." But the fact is that, Th. Muivah, who is the most important figure in the Naga freedom movements as well as Indo-Naga peacetalk is a Tangkhul Naga Tribe, and a domicile of Manipur. In this situation, we've almost reached the point of no return, and time is of the essence if we're not to compromise territorial integrity, and if at all serious about peaceful co-existence.

The slogan such as, "No solution for Manipur Nagas" may sound good for some, and may even succeeded in preventing the peaceful settlement of Indo-Naga conflicts for the time being, but that won't solve the root of conflicts. At this crucial juncture, throwing mud, strong press statements, simple political slogans, or readiness for communal murders will not do; some kinds of mechanisms for mutual accommodation/cooperation becomes indispensable, and we need to concentrate on those strategies.

We're living in the nuclear age, and use of nuclear force is considered legal. However, nations despite their big mutual differences never have engaged in nuclear wars with each other (except US on Japan), because in that case, neither the victor nor the vanquished would be left to enjoy the fruits of war; there will be annihilation. So, is the case in Manipur. Our leaders of civil organizations, politicians, intellectuals and ordinary citizens are all aware the destructions of the communal riots during 90s in the State, and aftermath of the similar riots in Assam. If communal riot becomes hot today, it would lead to catastrophe unparallel in past conflicts, and not just disintegration, but complete fragmentation of the State cannot be ruled out.

The political statements such as, "If a single inch of territorial area of Manipur is taken, we will fight tooth and nail," (Manipur CM bobi), and "if it affects …states, we will oppose tooth and nail," (Assam CM, Gogoi), are not helping in solving the issue, but are preventing peaceful settlement without solving the sources of disputes. In Dr. Suresh's words, "These are political slogans, a vote bank politics, and trying to earn heroism. This is not governance; this is not what we expect from politicians." There is a Chinese saying, "Complex problems do not have simple solutions". Using a simple political slogan to solve a complex problem will not result in a simple solution. It means that no one should try to produce something that was simpler than possible.

There is an Einstein Principle, "A theory should be as simple as possible, but no simpler." The August 3 peace accord has been made possible as a result of sustained work done by PM Modi himself taking personal interest. Likewise, if the Chief Minister of Manipur, Assam or Arunachal Pradesh takes a sincere concentration, similar result can be achieved without compromising their territorial integrity. India has managed to reach peaceful settlement without sacrificing its integrity and sovereignty. Also, Manipur can do it, I believe. If he could, you can; if they could, why not we?

In order to ensure territorial integrity of a State, and for peaceful co-existence, each one of us including Chief Ministers should make sincere efforts based on the principle of "Equal Treatment for All", and also accommodated the aspirations of different communities. The rights of all the communities must be protected. If everything about Manipur - from radio to television, speeches to newspapers, institutions to departments; ordinary citizens to intellectuals; politicians to religious leaders, civil organizations to State legislative assembly - is exclusively controlled and dominated by a single community, and the rests are reduced to mere sub-ordinates; and also working and talking only on that line, the rests will naturally felt discriminated and exploited thereby struggles for separation is bound to happen.

My present write up does not connote my support to any particular community or group, but I am trying to say that our government leaderships can do more than simply saying, "No territorial interference". 'Can do more' does not propose more militarization or communal riots, but I am talking about strategies for accommodation and cooperation through consultations, negotiations, and the like. And yes, I see no evil in welcoming peace accord from any quarter, because people have suffered for too long, we need peace and prosperity now. Some talk only in favour of valleys, and others do the same thing in favour of hills, just to secure their positions and for publicity.

And it is only the innocent people who either kill or are killed. It seems their chairs and political/social positions are more important than innocent lives. They defined their positions only by their interests as if nothing else mattered. Political leaders should not wait communal riots to solve the issues, but should give more efforts for peaceful settlement, because our region could not remained as trouble lands for eternity.

By virtue of the principle of national self-determination, people have the right to choose the form of government under which they desire to live, and it is the heart beat of almost every northeast community. And, the Nagas will not abandon her legitimate rights for self-determination; their aspirations could neither be ignored nor put on the back burner. The situation is such that no matter how much more time their legitimate struggle takes, Nagas will keep on fighting for their cause. It is something that has to be accomplished within or outside the Constitution of India. As such, it was necessary for the Central and State of Manipur to accommodate the aspirations of the Nagas, and settle the decades-old dispute with some kinds of autonomy within the Country/State, if we are at all, to safeguard our territorial integrity, and not divide into microscopic units, because people have the right to govern themselves.

Self-determination, if not a complete sovereignty, is the common basis of struggles by all the Northeast underground groups; our struggle is a pursuit of a common goal to gain a common end. Shared sovereignty, if not independence is a goal that is commonly cherished. Now, Naga Peace Accord cannot be termed as against the interest of northeast people, but it could be a common reward, because this is something we commonly cherished. Pakistan gained her freedom through India without freedom movements in the real sense of the term. Kuki, and even Meitei could managed to gain a "shared-sovereignty" with India through this Peace Accord without investing 97 years more for the same, if they so desires. In my own opinion, Mr. Muivah will not ignore his neighbours if they come forward to enjoy the fruits which are commonly cherished.

I see only one Northeast, and my ultimate aim is to have a united Northeast region, and this is distinctively possible when we cooperate and accommodate the interests of each other. This peace accord is not exclusively for Nagas, but for all northeast people, and also India as a whole. Because, violence anywhere constitutes a threat to peace and prosperity everywhere. A peace accord today can be a peace accord for another tomorrow; it will be a template for future settlement. So, there's no point of resistance in achieving something we have been commonly pursuing, I think. It makes sense to welcome a solution to a common problem. If Naga gets the maximum through this accord, future accords will get similar status, not a cosmetic autonomy. So, a harmonized North East approach is essential if our demands are to be met simultaneously of separately in favour of our interests.

Dr Durga Basu in his Constitution presented a very objective advise to younger generation in the following words: "Time has come for younger generation to realise that they cannot reach their objective by political slogans or breaking their heads on the streets, but by acquiring political education and encyclopaedic knowledge ..." As regard the approach to Naga Peace Accord, 2015, the following suggestions by Dr. Th. Suresh are noteworthy: (i) implementation of Sixth Schedule with Kashmir type of rider under Article 370 of the Constitution to safeguard our territory for all time to come; (ii) more power to hill councils; and (iii) more power and money to NEC: (for details please read his Articles).