With Nagaland state assembly elections on the horizon, things are really picking up with regard to the Naga Peace talks. While NSCN (I-M) keeps sticking to the demand for a separate Naga Flag and Naga Constitution, the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) wants a solution before the state assembly elections with what is being laid on the table by the Government of India.
Before the new GoI interlocutor AK Mishra came into the scene, former interlocutor RN Ravi had already paved the way for provoking such a sharp division among the Naga underground groups. NNPG is a conglomerate of several factions of the NNC and NSCN-K mostly based in the state of Nagaland and so it wants to limit the solution within the state of Nagaland itself.
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The convenor of NNPG Kitovi Zhimomi had also expressed his desire to maintain friendly relations with neighbours. On the other hand, Muivah insisted on the Naga Flag and Naga Constitution as GoI had repeatedly rejected the demand for a Greater Naga Lim or a Pan Naga Hoho with political powers.
As regards the Naga Constitution, GoI seems to have agreed to incorporate some new clauses in Article 371 but remained adamant against the use of Naga Flag in government functions or installations. With state assembly elections knocking at the door, the BJP government at the Centre seems keen on a settlement of the Naga issue and it has directed the Nagaland Parliamentary group to convince NSCN (I-M) and Thuingaleng Muivah.
Even as GoI representatives once again opened negotiations with NSCN (I-M) leaders in New Delhi, it looks like not much progress is there. The recent NNPG decision that it will boycott the ensuing assembly elections if a solution is not in place before elections is itself an indicator of the lack of progress. Whether NNPG has the muscle required to boycott elections or not is entirely a different question, what matters more is whether GoI is willing to flex muscles to bring NSCN (I-M) in line.
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What began as an exclusive arrangement between it and GoI as two entities has now become too crowded and Thuingaleng Muivah is not too happy about it. When RN Ravi was first brought in, his first mission was to rope in the various Naga UG factions in the peace process and by engaging in parallel negotiations he propped up the said factions to the same level with the ‘powerful’ NSCN (I-M) group.
It deeply hurt Thuingaleng Muivah’s ego and stature and that is why he went ballistics against Ravi. Isolating the NSCN(I-M) or the Tangkhul leadership was all along RN Ravi’s agenda while the overall strategy was to tire out the enemy through endless rounds of talks. The mainland Nagas have all along been against Manipuri Nagas taking centre-stage in the Naga Nationalist movement and in fact they feel that Muivah had hijacked the Naga movement.
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That is why, they have been so quick in disowning Muivah once they were assured of support by GoI through RN Ravi. Even though RN Ravi is no longer in the picture, the new GoI representatives are still following the path laid down by him.
It would be too presumptuous to say that Thuingaleng Muivah is not aware of these moves on the peace chessboard. He is very perceptive and understands it perfectly. Only thing is that, he seems to be out of moves or rather cornered in a way.
For one, Manipur based CSOs like United Naga Council and others expressing that they are not in a hurry and willing to wait out an ‘honourable’ settlement is an indicator. It is against the general sentiment in Nagaland state now and everybody there seems to be keen on a solution as soon as possible. What happens now is indeed a million dollar question on everyone’s lips?
Can there be a solution without Muivah? Even though NSCN (I-M) leaders and cadres have been away from the jungle for more than two decades, it still seems to have the strength and striking capability expected of an insurgent group. This, GoI also understands.
