Al Ngullie
Dimapur | February 18
Reflecting the overall perspective of India’s position on the more than half-a-century Indo-Naga political issue, some political observers declare that the ‘slowdown’ in the Government of India-NSCN (IM) talk in fact translates into ‘stalemate.’ This is a cause for much alarm, it is observed. It is also a relative reminder to both the Government of India and the NSCN-IM to redefine what each wants and to do, to push the talks forward, they say.
A number of senior and prominent media persons as well as civil rights personalities from the mainland interacted with The Morung Express over the recent comments made to The Morung Express by National Security Advisor to Prime Minister MK Narayanan over the Indo-Naga parleys. The National Security Advisor, during his Nagaland visit two days ago, had admitted that the GoI-NSCN (IM) talks had reached a ‘slowdown.’
Some of the more perceptible and significant observations made by the political observers included perceived delay-tactics played by the Indian government and what was implied to be the exploitation of Naga-disunity to prolong the talks to India’s advantage. Further, trust-building measures like demilitarization in all Naga areas alongside removal of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) are critically imperative if the Indo-Naga peace talks are to experience any solution. Another important observation was that if “broad concessions” are to be made to the Nagas, then the Constitution of India is not so rigid that it cannot be amended to accommodate the Nagas’ aspirations.
‘What the NSA said is alarming; it is a treachery to the Nagas and to the Indian Constitution’ says Ravi Hemadri, Executive Director of The Other Media, a rights’ watchdog. Commenting on the GoI wanting a ‘forward movement’ only if the NSCN-IM agrees to a solution within the Indian Constitution, Hemadri stated that this is demonstrative of India retracting its ‘promises’ when the talks first commenced ten years ago. For instance, the GoI assured that the talks would be unconditional, he said, and putting the condition of a solution only if it is within the parameters of the Indian union, is a “treachery” he said. He is also doubtful that the GoI is at all sincere. He said that no elaborate and cohesive consultative process has been undertaken in the Parliament or with the political parties over the last 10 years by the government. “This kind of process never happened. No, the government is not serious. It (Indo-Naga talks) is turning out to be a farce” Hemadri observed.
Expressing concern that the talks are hanging ‘in balance’ Hemadri, however, suggested that trust-building measures have to be set in place first. Firstly, demilitarization – not only in Nagaland but in all Naga-inhabited areas in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh – should be embarked on. Secondly, remove the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). These, Hemadri said, demonstrates democratic political participation and sincerity if the current political negotiations are to hold good water.
In the same vein, Gautam Navlakha is convinced that admitting to a ‘slowdown’ by the PM’s advisor in fact translates to ‘deadlock’ or ‘stalemate.’ This gives the impression that whether or not the GoI wants to give “broad concessions” whether within or outside, demonstrates passing the buck to the NSCN (IM). This means the Indian government is ‘stuck’ and has placed the ‘ball in the court of the NSCN (IM)’ as a way out, asserted Gautam, Associate Editor of the Economic and Political Weekly. He expressed concern that nothing tangible has emerged out of the 10 years ceasefire or talks. Relatively, he said, this also shows that the Government of India is employing the disunity of the Nagas to prolong the talks. ‘The question of Naga politics has become critical now that Naga disunity is a handle for the GoI to prolong the talks’ he observed, implying that the GoI has an advantage over the Naga issue. The Nagas have to understand that their disunity is being exploited by others, he reminded.
Gautam also wondered what MK Narayanan meant by “broad concessions.” He has to spell out and specify what they (“broad concessions”) are, the Editor said. ‘If after 10 years, if the Government of India says there is a slowdown…then it is of much concern and alarm’ he added, however, expressing hope that a honorable and acceptable solution for the Nagas is worked out by pushing forward the “hanging in balance” peace talks.
Over the perceived claim that the Indian Constitution cannot accommodate the Nagas’ aspirations, senior journalists like AS Panneerselvan, are not convinced. Attached as executive director for the international organization, Panos International, Paneer wonders: ‘If the Constitution (of India) can be amended 112 times, why not just one for the Nagas.’ And the broad and vague comments about “broad concessions” are confusing, he admits. “They (GoI) have to spell out what the ‘broad concessions’ are and what they are willing to offer” he said. Citing the instance of Jammu & Kashmir, he said the India Constitution is flexible enough and can be amended. All that is imperative is a political will from the GoI, he said. “The Indian Constitution cannot be cited as a reason for not taking forward the parleys. In fact, the GoI and the (Nagas) have to understand that the flexibility of the (Indian) constitution is a stepping stone and not a stumbling block as claimed” he said.
In a relative but slightly varied perspective, Bharat Bushan, chief of Mail Today says that the peace process has held good. The ceasefire of the last 10 years has ushered in ‘some benefits.’ He also cautioned that observations of ‘slowdown’ or stalemates’ in the parleys should not be jumped. The reason, he said, is that such processes cannot be culminated in ‘two days’ or ‘twenty days’ and needs time. However, the Government of India admitting that there is a slowdown in the parleys reminds that both have an onus to define where they both stand and want. “If the Government of India says there is a slowdown in the Indo-Naga talks, then it is incumbent upon both the Government of India and the NSCN-IM” he said. He also added that the Naga people have been ‘very patient’ and somehow the process is holding good.
