Proposed Supra State : Old Wine In New Bottle

Seram Neken *

The map of Nagalim says it all and demand for Naga integration :: Pix - TSE

'Supra-State' is another nomenclature of 'Greater Nagaland', the underlying theme of which is the integration of all Naga inhabited areas of the north east into a big state at the cost of age-old composite existence of other states. It is widely different from the 'supra-nationalism' concept applied to loose-confederations such as the European Union. The proposed federal structure brought forth in the negotiations between NSCN(IM) and India Government is apparently a step towards disintegrating Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh where the NSCN(IM) claimed as Naga inhabited areas.

As the concept of 'Naga Integration' disturbs the territorial as well as social integrity of neighbouring states such as Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, objections have been raised from across these states to the reported consideration of Supra-state institution. However, Home Ministry sources say that it is only a proposal from the side of NSCN (IM), which the Government has not yet agreed on.

Media reports quoting HM sources say, 'so far as the government of India is concerned, it is not giving Nagaland any powers to gain control over areas of its neighbouring states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.'

In meantime, the publicized handwritten paper said to be prepared by the NSCN (IM) under the title "Gist of status of discussion and negotiations on various issues" indicates India Government's apparent nod on the proposed Supra-state structure.

The paper states, "the present so-called state of Nagaland comprises only a portion of Nagaland and more realistic boundaries should be agreed upon that enable the Naga areas to be integrated within one administrative entity. The portions of Nagaland that are situated in present-day Myanmar will not form part of the present negotiations."

Government of India's position as conveyed during negotiation on boundary issue is written as "Possible autonomy of Naga areas without altering the boundaries of the states concerned so that in many matters representatives of the hill areas may administer the subjects in their charge along with a supra-state body for the Nagas for their cultural, social and customary practices may be discussed. This pan-Naga supra-state body will be in the recognition of the distinct identity of the Nagas."
(Source: http://epao.net/ )

Chronology of peace-process

National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) was formed on 31 January 1980 by Isak Chisi Swu, Thuingaleng Muivah and SS Khaplang opposing the Shillong Accord signed by the then NNC (Naga National Council) with the Indian government. Since then it had been carrying on an armed struggle to establish a People's Republic of Nagaland. The India government's persistent efforts to start a dialogue process with the organisation resulted to its split into two factions. On 30 April 1988, the NSCN was split into two factions namely the NSCN (K) led by SS Khaplang and NSCN (IM) led by Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah.

The ceasefire between the Government of India and the group NSCN(IM) came into force on 1st August 1997. Prior to that, the then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao met both its leaders, Isak Chisu and Th. Muivah in Paris on 15 June 1995. Two years later, Prime Minister Deve Gowda met NSCN (IM) leadership on 3 February 1997 in Zurich. Several rounds of negotiations took place between the two parties with Swaraj Kaushal as the chief interlocutor.

After the BJP came to power, Prime Minister Vajpayee met the rebel leadership in Paris in September 1998 and the former Home Secretary, K. Padmanabhaiah became the centre's primary negotiator. The leaders stuck to the demand for a sovereign Nagaland, comprising many Naga-inhabited areas of neighbouring Assam and Manipur, besides the Nagaland State.

On 19 January 2000, Muivah was arrested in Bangkok on charges of possessing fake passports, thereby causing a major setback in the peace process. With Muivah behind bars for one year, the dialogue process has come to a halt. While the NSCN (IM) demands that the government should pressurize the Thai authorities for Muivah's early release, the government has refused to interfere in the legal processes of another country.

Meanwhile, talks between the government and the representatives of the NSCN(I-M) resulted in the extension of the ceasefire till 31 July 2001 and further for another one year. The phrase "without territorial limits" as mentioned in the said ceasefire extension between the two parties invited a great objection in the form of ever-remembered 'the Great June Uprising, 2001" in Manipur.

On the 27 July 2001, leaders of four apex Naga social organization, Naga peoples movement for human rights (NPMHR) Naga Students Federation (NSF) Naga Hoho (NH) and United Naga Council (UNC) met the Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee who assured the delegation that the views and opinions of Nagas would be taken into consideration while reviewing the cease-fire.

During the past 14 years of negotiation between the Naga rebel group and the Indian Government, the peaceful co-existence among the various communities in the neighbouring states of Nagaland has been disturbed many a time. The NSCN(IM) has many times indulged in terrorist activities freely in the name of ceasefire with India Government.

Continued tax collection in highways by the negotiating group is also a great injustice to the people. Also, the dream for integration of Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh into Nagaland to form the so called "Greater Nagaland" to protect the interest of the particular group has led to political and social chaos in these states. The identity and origin of the so called Naga nomenclature have been questioned from various circles in relation to its wish of protecting its identity under the banner of Greater Nagaland at the cost of other state's age-old existence.

As the Constitution of India does not provide for such a Supra-structure, the proposal will surely need due constitutional amendment. So, there is less feasibility of realisation of this dream in the near future. Moreover, the idea for formation of such a federal body over and above the existing states will have serious repercussions in matters of co-existence and compositeness of states.

There will arise overlapping of legislative, executive, judicial and financial powers between the proposed body and existing states. It will be more harmful in the future of the native peoples of north east India. No doubt, it is a step towards appeasing the Naga rebel group and it is also paving the way for Naga integration at the cost of integrity of other states and peoples.

Whatever may be the nomenclature, any move towards disintegrating the composite character of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh states will meet strong objections. The underlying objective is the same and hence the consequences will be too. It is old wine in new bottle.