Manipur and 'first' BJP CM Biren could make a difference in Naga peace deal

Nirendra Dev *

Union Home Minister Amit Shah with CM Biren Singh and a delegation of Manipur leaders from various parties

Now that Naga peace talks have ended on a 'positive note' and the ball is in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's court to take a final call on a report from interlocutor and Nagaland Governor R N Ravi, perhaps the neighbouring state of Manipur and one politician can make some difference.

Of course - the unrest in Manipur after 'cease work' paralysing the state on Thursday had left the BJP central leadership and especially Union Home Minister Amit Shah irked.

On Thursday evening - as the Naga peace talks 'entered' the final and crucial stage - Mr Shah ordered mandarins in his ministry to issue a statement stating that no final word has been said or could be said until the states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have been consulted.

It was a strongly worded statement and specific use of the word 'rumour' and 'credence' even had left many Naga leaders confused.

This actually has a background and here comes the role BJP's 'first' Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Prior to the developments on Thursday, Home Minister and BJP president held audience with CM Biren Singh and a delegation of Manipur leaders from various parties.

The Chief Minister had led a delegation of all Manipur political parties and they had presented their views to Mr Shah on "the Naga peace talks and it's impact on Manipur".

The impact of protest on Thursday (Oct 31) was felt in at least nine districts - six in valley region inhabited mostly by Meiteis and in three Kuki-inhabited hill districts of Chandel, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.

Known for taking decisive stance and quickly, Mr Shah knew how to bring down the temperature and the angst against the Centre.

In the BJP circle, it is said Chief Minister Biren Singh enjoys good working relations with the party national president. Thus it did not require much of talking to do and Mr Shah easily grasped the gravity of the matter.

A former BSF personnel and once a local journalist, Mr Singh has his unique flamboyant style of politics.

During his stint in Congress too, he has been mercurial and assertive about his stance and had once 'influenced' the Congress high command decision to replace a pradesh Congress chief.

The virtual 'veto' from Home Ministry has now possibly set the ball rolling for consultation on Naga peace deal with the states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The Arunachal Pradesh government has already welcomed the central government's decision to consult all stakeholders.

The Nagas reside abundantly in parts in these three states and originally the NSCN (IM)'s vision of 'Greater Nagalim' had sought incorporating these Naga-inhabited areas as well. The government of India has rejected this demand and taking a pragmatic stance, the militant group too did not press for it.

In the ultimate, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and other Naga leaders feel 22-year-old talks have resulted in 'historic' achievements. "Peace will now pave the way for genuine progress and true nation-building," tweeted Mr Rio - and everyone knows he did it not without good reasons.

Manipur leaders from opposition parties, including Congress, were reportedly 'impressed' the manner Mr Biren Singh put forward his stand before the Home Minister and impressed upon him that "nothing should be done in hurry" with regard Nagas and their part of the peace agreement.

Sources said senior officials and others had already given 'inputs' to Mr Shah earlier. Meiteis and other Non-Nagas are emotive about their land and rights and any extra ordinary concessions given to Nagas (of Manipur) could have far reaching adverse impact.

In the meantime, a key official attached to the Union Home Ministry had met a delegation of Thadou Students' Association. The Thadou (a local major tribe under Kuki clan) group highlighted the 'overlapping' matters related to the interest of Nagas and other tribal groups in Manipur.

"Often the interests clash...," one of them later explained. They also sounded to the 'concerned official' their strong objection if there is any plan to give away 'Thadou inhabited lands by way territorial council' in the event of a final Naga political settlement.

Mr Shah and others in Home Ministry knew that given this backdrop, it would be prudent for everyone to apply calm and restraints and thus it was announced that pending consultation with other stakeholders 'no final agreement' will be announced with Naga groups too.