Brushing off all rumours, MHA states ‘Naga settlement’ will finalise after consultating Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh

News Bharati    01-Nov-2019
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New Delhi, November 1: As the entire nation celebrated the National Unity Day on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary on October 31, so did the Northeast jump with joy and pride. Upholding the integrity and unity of the country, the world witnessed the end of a seven-decade long insurgency in Nagaland. As there is no final call on the Naga peace talks, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that before any settlement is arrived at with Naga groups, all stakeholders including States of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh will be duly consulted and their concerns will be taken into consideration.

 

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that, “It has come to notice of the Government that lots of rumours and misinformation is being spread in media including social media that final Naga settlement has been arrived at and will be announced soon. This is creating anxiety and concern in some parts of the country. It is clarified that before any settlement is arrived at with Naga groups, all stakeholders including States of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh will be duly consulted and their concerns will be taken into consideration. No credence needs to be given to such rumours and incorrect information."

The NSCN-IM, led by Late Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, signed a ceasefire agreement with the Union government in August 1997. It was a rollercoaster ride for both sides and probably the longest dialogue in the history of insurgency. Known as the mother of all insurgencies, Naga insurgency started as early as the 1950s, though the seeds of secession were sowed in the later part of 1940. It was the strong sense of Naga nationalism, that led to the declaration of Independence from British India on August 14, 1947, a day ahead of the rest of the country.

The formation of Naga National Council, and eventually signing of the Shillong Accord in 1975, led to the formation of Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), as Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu along with SS Khaplang which condemned the Accord terming it a "complete sellout of the Nagas". Angami Zapu Phizo, however, remained the father figure of the Naga secessionist movement till his death in London on April 30, 1990. He is still considered as the father of Nagaland.

The Naga movement, witnessed a lot of bloodsheds and factional clash, particularly after the split of 1988, when Khaplang parted ways with Isak-Muivah. Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah finally signed a ceasefire agreement with the Union government in 1997. SS Khaplang, who originally hailed from Myanmar, led the NSCN-K faction, which is yet to come to talks with the government, however, after Khaplang's death in 2017 and intensive operation by Myanmar Army, the strength of the faction is now negligible.

People across Northeast are hopeful that the successful conclusion of the Naga Talks will also ensure smooth sail for other insurgent groups of the region. The region which has witnessed 7 decades of insurgency has also been witness to the casualties of 2,762 soldiers, more than 10000 insurgents and over 40,000 civilians since 1979. Everyone now awaits new dawn, in Northeast and particularly in Nagaland.