Naga peace accord: First steps towards lasting solution

Kohima, Aug 4: The peace accord signed with the NSCN (IM) and the government of India is aimed at long lasting peace. Although there is not much clarity on the terms of the accord, Government sources say that it is beneficial and a major breakthrough especially after 60 rounds of negotiations that have lasted nearly 18 years.

While the signing of the accord is historic there are still certain issues that would need to be worked out. Both sides would work out the modalities and give a clear picture in the next couple of days.

The accord with the NSCN (IM) is also aimed at combating the NSCN- Khaplang faction which had broken the cease fire agreement with India to join hands with the China backed ULFA-I to form the United Liberation of Southwest Asia.

Core issues to be resolved

There are a couple of core issues which this accord aims at resolving. One of the primary problems was that the Naga groups felt that the Naga people's inclusion into the Indian union was not right. They had also refused to accept the supremacy of the Indian constitution and ran a parallel government.

The peace accord would aim at integrating a new generation into the Indian union and this would pave the way for long lasting peace. The NSCN (IM) could credit itself for trying to resolve a 6 decade old problem and also open up development channels in the North Eastern states.

The other core issue was with regard to creating a Greater Nagaland which would include areas in Manipur, Nagaland, Assam and also Myanmar. The peace accord would aim at resolving this issue as well.

The NSCN (IM) had already indicated that it was willing to drop the demand to include parts of Myanmar as the Indian government was not interested in re-aligning an international border. However there were issues with the re-alignment of the internal borders too.

The accord would bring both the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India to the talking table where this issue too would be resolved.

Detailed plan of action

Over the next few days both the Government and the NSCN (IM) would chalk out a detailed action plan. The terms of the accord are not yet clear, but sources say that this is a first step which would aim at providing a long lasting solution.

When the groups are willing to speak, it is always easier to resolve a problem, a source also added indicating that this accord is beneficial to all.

The very important Indo-Myanmar-Thailand highway has seen violence in the past several years. The peace accord could signal an end to such violence thus opening it up and ensuring that there is overall development in the North Eastern states.

OneIndia News