The Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) successfully concluded the dialogue on Naga political issue, which has existed for six decades, and signed an agreement today in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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After signing the accord the NSCN (I-M) leader T Muivah hailed the peace accord as a new beginning for both Naga and Indians.
The NSCN-IM has been fighting for an independent ethnic Naga homeland uniting parts of the mountainous northeast with areas of neighbouring Myanmar, where it runs a government-in-exile.
“Unfortunately, the Naga problem has taken so long to resolve, because we did not understand each other”.
Within this framework agreement, details and execution plan will be released shortly. Modi’s government has said it wants to develop the region, which has long felt neglected by the rest of the country, by pumping in development funds and building better infrastructure.
“Since becoming prime minister, peace, security and economic transformation of the northeast have been among my highest priorities”. The Prime Minister insisted on carrying the talks to a logical conclusion. “Equally, they represent the highest levels of humanism”, he said. Modi said. It is the oldest and strongest of about 30 rebel armies operating in the northeast since India’s independence in 1947.
“We are still requesting Khaplang to renew the ceasefire”. Let me assure you that Nagas can be trustworthy, said Muivah.
Speaking on the occasion, Muivah said, “I thank God for this momentous occasion”. Naga people have great respect for Mahatma Gandhi.
He mentioned that the peace moves were first initiated by the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao when the outfit gave a commitment about ceasefire. “We appreciate the statesmanship of (former PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee”.
Although the government can hope for peace with the NSCN(IM), it is the NSCN(Khaplang) that has turned out to be a major headache for the Centre.
The group entered a cease-fire in 1997 but in almost 18 years no formal peace deal could be agreed upon.
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This is the second major accord the government has signed with a north-east insurgent group following a similar peace accord signed with the Mizo National Front in 1986.
