Highly placed sources in the Government of India (GoI) told The Assam Tribune on October 18 that the Government has already made its stand “very clear” to all the Naga rebel groups and they would have to take a decision whether to sign a peace agreement or not by October 31. According to sources, “Formalities for signing an agreement may take some time, but it is clear that there will be no more talk after October 31. Moreover, the government will not sign separate agreements with different groups and there will be only one agreement”. Sources said that the GoI has accepted the unique history of Naga people and more powers would be given to the State, while the number of seats in Nagaland Assembly would be increased. An Upper House would be created in Nagaland, while a financial package would be given to the State. One Autonomous Council each would be created in the States of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and a pan-Naga cultural body would be formed. There will be a special package for the rehabilitation of the cadres of the rebel groups. However, there will be no reorganisation of boundaries of any State.
RN Ravi on October 18 stated that public consultation was a direct offshoot of the “unfortunate attitude” of some National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) NSCN-IM leaders, reports Eastern Mirror. The consultation meeting in Kohima was attended by the apex leadership of all the 14 Naga tribes of Nagaland, all the minority non-Naga tribes of Nagaland, Nagaland Gaon Burah (GB) Federation, Nagaland Tribes Council, church leaders and civil society organisations. KT Vilie, the coordinator of the forum representing 14 Naga tribes of Nagaland, said that the GoI ‘might take some action by the end of this month.
A statement by RN Ravi said that “The framework agreement with NSCN (IM) and the Agreed Position with the WC of NNPGs were extensively shared with the leaders, pertinent issues discussed, and doubts in competencies clarified, adds Eastern Mirror. Political maturity and wisdom of the Naga leaders who expressed their overwhelming support in favour of a settlement without any further delay is deeply appreciated”. RN Ravi said that NSCN (IM) has adopted a procrastinating attitude ‘to delay the settlement, raising the contentious symbolic issues of separate Naga national flag and constitution.’ He accused the Naga group of ‘mischievously dragging in the framework agreement’ and ascribing imaginary content to it. He in a statement said that “Some NSCN (I-M) leaders through various media platforms are misleading the people with absurd assumptions and presumptions over what they have already agreed with the government of India”.
The statement said that “Primary stakeholders—tribal and civil society organisations from Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam were involved in the peace process and made valuable contributions through regular consultations and insightful inputs, adds Eastern Mirror. The church leaders with their constant prayers and goodwill have immensely contributed to the cause of enduring peace.” Th public statement also said that “It is a matter of great satisfaction that agreements with NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015 and with seven Naga armed groups under the banner of Working Committee (WC) of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) on November 17, 2017 on the political parameters of the settlement were signed. A mutually agreed draft comprehensive settlement, including all the substantive issues and competencies, is ready for inking the final agreement.”
An unidentified Church leader stated that GoI was clear on its stand that the issue should not be prolonged any further. According to the leader, few civil societies were ‘impatient’ but there were other who maintained that ‘patience must be exercise to avoid bloodshed’.
Meanwhile, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has appealed to the Naga political groups to exercise restraint in their media statements and iron out differences through dialogue, reports Eastern Mirror on October 19. The forum in an public statement urged Naga groups, particularly the NNPGs and the NSCN (IM), to avoid “media-confrontation”—reasoning that this was only harming Naga society and rendering the people more vulnerable to further division.
Manipur Government urged Government of India (GoI) to take stiff action against militant outfits violating the ground rules under the Suspension of Operation (SoO), reports Indian Express on October 17. The request comes in the wake of reports of Kuki militants intimidating a representative of the same community over an agreement reached on the “Anglo-Kuki War” issue. The government spokesperson further said that the police is trying to verify which group is responsible for the threat. Recently, tension has been running high in the state owing to a confrontation between Kuki and Naga civil bodies over a memorial stone commemorating the culmination of a three-year observation of the centenary of ‘Anglo-Kuki War’ (1917-1919) at C. Aisan Village in Kangpokpi District in Manipur. Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Commemoration Committee under the aegis of the Kuki Inpi Manipur asked every Kuki village in the state to erect a commemorative stone. However, Naga bodies objected to the move claiming that the ‘Anglo-Kuki War’ never happened. They also added that the stones inscription cannot be erected in Naga ancestral land. Government Spokesperson stated that some members of a Kuki outfit currently under SoO with the state and GoI has intimidated representation of Kuki community, led by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) who had reached an agreement with the Government on October 16. As per the report, the outfit forced the representation not to accept the agreement.