Given the demographic composition of the North East region, the political boundaries, cultural affiliations and distinct ethnic identities of each group of people, will it be possible to work out a model for one single ethnic group at the cost of others to qualify for the term ‘peaceful solution’ ?

This question gains credence in the backdrop of the ongoing peace talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India and the former's demand that all Naga inhabited areas should come under one political entity.

The peace talk between the IM group and New Delhi has been dragging on for more than 8 years now and during this period quite a few epochal incidents have occurred which will definitely have an impact on the possible outcome of the peace talk.

If 2001 was about the death of 14 persons on June 18 in the uprising against the Bangkok Declaration of June 14, which extended the cease fire between the IM group and New Delhi beyond the political boundary of Nagaland followed by the days of public protest and unending curfews, then 2005 will be remembered for the 52 days economic blockade called by the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur and supported by various Naga bodies, including the Naga Students' Federation to protest the decision of the SPF Government to declare June 18 as Integrity Day.

We hark back to these two momentous occasions, for in many ways, these two incidents reflect the sharpening of positions along the Lim divide and in one way or the other these two histories may have a direct impact on the outcome of the dialogue between the Naga rebel group and the Government of India.

It is now more than clear that the crux of the issue between the IM group and Delhi is the creation of a Greater Lim and this brings us to the question raised in the opening sentence of this column. Can a solution be worked out exclusively for the Naga people alone at the cost of other ethnic groups ?

The answer may not sound pleasant to everyone but if such a solution can be worked out, we are sure New Delhi would have gone ahead to fulfil the aspirations of the IM group just to buy peace and settle the age old Naga issue.

The North East, especially States like Manipur and Assam cannot be identified with only one ethnic group. Manipur was never a land based on the existence of one ethnic group.

Proponents of the Greater Lim may say that the history of the Meitei people begins and ends with the Imphal valley, but we when we come to the State of Manipur we are not only talking about the Meitei community.

The call of ethnic exclusivity and the cry of political settlement for only one ethnic group at the cost of others is a dangerous game in which the only loser will be the common people.

Demand for an ethnic homeland in a region like the North East would amount to refusing to see the reality. Mr Thuingaleng Muivah has already shown that he is a man who has been shaping the dreams and aspirations of the Naga people for decades.

Perhaps the time is now ripe for him to look beyond the narrow confines of one ethnic group and see if he can become a leader of the North East region.

Leadership qualities should transcend ethnic divides and it is up to the man from Somdal village in Ukhrul district to see if he can break free from the shackles of ethnicity to which he has chained himself to.