All attention which was also full of suspense converged on Thursday, October 31 as it was projected as the official deadline when an ultimate solution to the seven-decade old Naga conflict and a 22-year old peace-talk process was supposed to emerge. But, so far from the reports that have trickled whose veracity is still to get substantially authenticated, it can only be said that even if there is a progress over the contentious issues that formed the core aspects of talks, there are still certain factors waiting to be addressed before the official inking of any treaty. Thankfully, this has come as a clarification from central government which says that no final agreement would be signed without taking all stakeholders into confidence. As far as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur is concerned, it needs no mentioning that in the ongoing Naga peace talks, they are the stakeholders and without their participation, it will be impractical to expect any comprehensive solution. This was a much needed stand since speculations as well as apprehensions were rising over the past few weeks that there might be ‘territorial compromise’ in case the original demand(s) of NSCN (I-M) are obliged with. And since hostility has given way to a conducive atmosphere, that too after such a long span of protracted negotiations, it can only be hoped that the final solution ushers in the much awaited peace in the region.

It can be recalled that the current peace talks dates back to 1997 when GoI and NSCN (I-M) started parleys to end a conflict that is perhaps one of South Asia’s oldest and prominent. Over these years, even if the negotiation process fell into rough weathers on various occasions, signing of a “Framework Agreement” in August 2015 that was to be the basic document in run-up to the final accord, perhaps signalled the dawn of a long-nurtured dream of real peace. But obstacles that had been the bones of contention are demands for a separate flag and constitution and of a ‘Greater Nagaland’ or Nagalim which means extension of Nagaland’s borders by including Naga-dominated areas in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur. According to most political commentators, a separate constitution is well-nigh impossible under current context that has emerged after post-August 5 Kashmir revamp. The separate flag issue also lacks clarity at the moment as there had been ‘claims’ that there will be permission for use of a Naga flag only at cultural events.

Although the deadline is over, negotiations must continue until a most acceptable solution is reached which must essentially ensure that territorial status quo of these states remain unchanged. The journey from hostility to peace had been quite a long one and it would be better if all glitches are ironed out before anything final, even if it comes at the cost of a little more time.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List