Naga integration via FA : A game of word play ?
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: March 24 2017 -

The truth may lie somewhere in between.

It was not so long back, to be more precise before Manipur went to polls to elect the 11th Assembly, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh took pains to assure the people of Manipur that the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India does not contain anything that can harm the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Fast forward to March 23 and The Times of India has quoted NSCN (IM) leader Th Muivah as stating that the Framework Agreement recognises the legitimate right of the Nagas to “integration of all Naga territories.”

New Delhi proclaiming that the Framework Agreement does not contain any point that can harm the territorial integrity of Manipur and the NSCN (IM) leader asserting that the Framework Agreement does recognise the right of the Nagas to integrate all Naga territories.

Who is speaking the truth and who is not ?

Tough to say but as noted earlier here, the truth may lie somewhere in between.

Interesting to note that Th Muivah did not refer to Manipur at all when he announced this during the 38th republic Day celebration of the NSCN (IM) at Camp Hebron on March 21 but just said Naga territories.

It is this which the people should be wary of, for it could be about word play and in the world of politics, as understood today, this could mean so many things.

And it is this, that is the non-referral to Manipur and other States of the North East, which may just give the kind of leverage that is needed for the BJP to try and calm down frayed nerves in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Naga territories may be interpreted along different lines and it is here that question may well be raised on whether the BJP led Government at New Delhi recognises anything called Naga territories outside Nagaland.

Only New Delhi can answer this question but at the same time it also stands that the heat will be on the newly installed BJP led Government here in Manipur.

And it is here that Interlocutor to the peace talk RN Ravi need to come out and say once and for all whether the Framework Agreement contains anything that is inimical to the interest of Manipur and her people.

Not that whatever RN Ravi says will put everything to rest but it can certainly go a long way in clearing doubts and uncertainties in the minds of the people.

Moreover should it be left entirely to the NSCN (IM) to define what are Naga territories or should the States neighbouring Nagaland also have a say on what they understand by the term Naga territories ?

New Delhi need to answer this question.