The Naga Peace Process and Agreement Explained
The Naga peace process has been a long-standing issue in India since the country’s independence in 1947. The Naga people, the residents of the northeastern state of Nagaland, have been demanding a separate independent state for themselves. After several rounds of negotiations and agreements, a final settlement was reached in 2015 with the signing of the Naga peace accord. This article delves deeper into the details of the Naga peace process and agreement.
Background
The Nagas are an ethnic group that resides in the northeastern part of India, bordering Myanmar. There are several Naga tribes, including Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Pochuri, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, and Yimchunger. Nagaland was declared India`s 16th state on December 1, 1963.
The Nagas have been demanding a separate independent state since India`s independence in 1947. They claim that the British colonial government had recognized Nagaland as a sovereign independent state before India’s independence. However, after India’s independence, Nagaland was merged with Assam, and the Nagas have been seeking independence ever since.
The Naga National Council (NNC) was formed in 1946 to demand independence. The Indian government recognized the NNC`s demand and signed a 16-point agreement in 1960, which created a separate state of Nagaland. However, the agreement was not implemented, and the Nagas continued to demand independence.
In 1980, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) was formed, which claimed to be the sole representative of the Nagas. The NSCN demanded the creation of a Greater Nagaland, which would include all Naga-inhabited areas in northeast India and Myanmar. The demand was not accepted by the Indian government, and the NSCN took up arms to achieve its goal.
Peace Process
In 1997, the Indian government initiated a peace process with the NSCN. The peace process was led by K. Padmanabhaiah, a former Home Secretary of India. The NSCN demanded a separate constitution, flag, and passport for Nagaland. The Indian government rejected these demands but agreed to recognize the unique history and culture of the Nagas.
The peace process resulted in the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement in 1997. Under the agreement, both parties agreed to cease all hostilities and enter into negotiations to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict. The ceasefire agreement has been in place since then, and talks have continued between the Indian government and the NSCN.
In 2015, after several rounds of negotiations, the Indian government signed the Naga peace accord with the NSCN-IM (Isak-Muivah faction). The accord recognized the unique history and culture of the Nagas and provided for greater autonomy to the state of Nagaland. The accord also envisaged the creation of a framework for lasting peace and unity in the region.
Outcome
The Naga peace accord was hailed as a significant step towards achieving lasting peace in the northeastern region of India. The accord provided for greater autonomy to Nagaland and recognized the unique history and culture of the Nagas. The accord also set the stage for the creation of a framework for lasting peace and unity in the region.
However, the Naga peace accord has not been implemented fully, and there have been roadblocks in the peace process. The NSCN has split into two factions, with the Khaplang faction opposing the Naga peace accord. There have been reports of increased violence in the region, with the NSCN carrying out attacks on security forces.
Conclusion
The Naga peace process has been a long-standing issue in India since the country’s independence. The Nagas have been demanding a separate independent state, and the Indian government has been trying to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict. The Naga peace accord signed in 2015 was a significant step towards achieving lasting peace in the region. However, the accord has not been implemented fully, and there have been roadblocks in the peace process. The Indian government needs to address these issues and work towards finding a lasting solution to the conflict.