National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN-IM) stated that raid conducted by the Assam Rifles (AR) is a serious breach of trust and questioned how Naga Peace process and raids can go on simultaneously. NSCN-IM stated, “How can the Indo-Naga peace process and war like situation as created by Assam Rifles go simultaneously?” NSCN- Government of India ceasefire ground rules (CFGR) has not given free hands to AR in the name of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA).
NSCN-IM also stated that the AR must note that CFGR is agreed upon between two entities to put a check on ceasefire violations. Indian security forces have no special authority beyond the specific ground rules as agreed between the two governments. Thus, it is another violation of ceasefire ground rules by the 5th AR which will be entered in the record for future reference. The 5th Assam Rifles raided the house of a Major of the Naga Army at Diphupar, Dimapur. The family resisted the unwarranted knock to enter the house. They found nothing there incriminating and left saying ‘wrong input’. Presently, NSCN-IM is holding peace parleys with the Indian government. NSCN-IM on 16th Aug for the first time produced the original copy of the framework agreement and Nagaland Governor R N Ravi’s manipulated copy of the pact. It said that Mr Ravi has craftily deleted the word “new” from the original line that referred to shared sovereignty between India and the Naga homeland and provided for an enduring inclusive new relationship of peaceful co-existence. NSCN-IM said that the word “new” was a politically sensitive word that defined the meaning of peaceful co-existence of the two entities and strongly indicated a settlement outside the purview of the Constitution of India. Now both the copies have been furnished for public scrutiny on how Nagaland’s governor who is also centre’s interlocutor for Naga peace talk, misinformed and mislead the government of India.Mr Ravi was made Nagaland’s governor in July 2019. His appointment as governor was seen as a message from New Delhi that the solution would be found soon.The ministry of information and publicity of the outfit said that the battle over the framework agreement is now before the public domain. As per the NSCN-IM, it is a matter of restoring the credibility of the government of India that was badly damaged in the hands of its representative. It also said that the issue is serious because the essence of the agreement has been found missing or manipulated in the copy circulated by Ravi to his favoured Naga civil society organisations, including Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) to give different narratives. Congress attacked the government over Naga rebel group NSCN-IM’s claim that 2015 framework agreement was signed after a series of discussions based on the principle of shared sovereignty and sought answer over the deal. Congress spokesperson Shakti sinh Gohil said that Prime Minister Modi declared in 2015 that a peace accord has been signed and the Naga issue will be solved. He sought answer from the government stating that this was not a secret deal and people and the country should know about it. He also said all stakeholder states should have been involved in the talks. Mr Gohil said government needs to come clarify and come clean on whether shared sovereignty was discussed as part of the framework agreement.
On 3rd August 2015, the centre had signed a framework agreement with the NSCN-IM in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the Naga issues. Both sides maintained secrecy about its contents. After the framework agreement in 2015 between the centre and the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, or the NSCN (I-M), there have been more than 100 rounds of talks and several twists and turns. Government of India recognised the unique history, culture and position of the Nagas and their sentiments and aspirations. However the signing of the framework agreement and the talks has not resulted into much positive headway towards a fruitful conclusion. In 1997, NSCN (IM) signed a ceasefire agreement with the government of India to stop attacks on Indian armed forces. In return, the government would stop all counter insurgency offensive operations.
Rajeev Ranjan @ Samacharline
