‘Historic’ 2023 for Nagaland amid protracted Naga political issue

Moa Jamir
Dimapur | December 30 

By all accounts, the year 2023 can be termed ‘historic’ for Nagaland, witnessing significant milestones and developments, despite no major breakthrough in the protracted Naga political talks.

Among other notable events, 2023 marked the maiden entry of women into the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the inauguration of the state’s first medical college, addressing a long-felt need. 

The year commenced with flurry of activities and as early as January 3, when the State Cabinet appealed to the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) regarding the demand for a separate Frontier Nagaland State—an issue that remained a focal point throughout the year. 

The Morung Express here provides a thematic overview of the major developments in Nagaland in 2023.

Women break political barriers
On February 27, elections were conducted ‘peacefully’ with 183 candidates in the fray, amidst allegations of proxy voting and other irregularities.  On result day on March 2, the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) secured the most seats, winning 25 out of 60 in the NLA, while its ally, the Bhartiya Janata Party, secured12 seats, for a total of 37 seats.

However, the spotlight was on Neiphu Rio and his party colleagues, Hekani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse. 

Jakhalu and Kruse shattered gender barriers as the first-ever women representatives in the NLA, while the latter became the State’s first woman minister. For the first-time, women were directly elected in parliamentary or assembly elections in Nagaland since late Rano M Shaiza gained membership to the Lok Sabha in 1977.

Rio solidified his legacy, returning as the Chief Minister for the 5th time and taking the oath of office on March 7. 

Additionally, on December 3, NDPP candidate Wangpang Konyak won the bye-election to Tapi Assembly Constituency held on November 7.

First medical college and other health concerns 
In August, the admission of the first batch of 100 MBBS students at the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), the State’s first medical college, began.  The institute was formally inaugurated by the Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on October 14. On the health front, the State’s first HIV-1 Viral Load laboratory was launched at the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima on June 26.

On July 31, the Government of Nagaland (GoN) issued a directive to all in-service government doctors to cease private practices.

Despite subsiding concerns over COVID-19, a new public health challenge emerged during the monsoon with a dengue outbreak, particularly affecting Dimapur and Mon districts. 

As of October 26, the State Health Department reported 2899 dengue cases with one death, with highest in Dimapur at 1398 cases followed by Mon (933). However, conflicting data from District Hospital Mon, admitting 1523 patients from August 14 to October 27, raised concerns about data accuracy. 

In August, rising cases of conjunctivitis resulted in the temporary suspension of physical classes in schools in few districts.

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cattle was reported in August, along with false claims of LSD infecting humans going viral on social media, while cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were also identified.

Frontier Nagaland issue
In early February, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO) withdrew its proposed election boycott call, reportedly on the Union Home Minister’s assurance of a ‘mutually agreed solution’ post-election. 

Subsequently, on June 27, the ENPO announced that it had accepted the proposal of the Government of India (GoI) for the ‘formation of a Frontier Naga Territory (FNT) with legislative, executive, administration, and financial autonomy,’ with a review in 10 years. 

Related developments afterwards included the affiliation of Eastern Sumi Hoho in the seven federating bodies of ENPO comprising Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir, and Yimkhiung tribes. Eastern Nagaland covers six districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamator, and Noklak.

ULBs roller coaster 
The issue of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections in Nagaland experienced a rollercoaster ride in 2023. Following constant reprimand from the apex court, on March 9, the State Election Commission notified that the ULBs elections with 33% women’s reservation would be held on May 16.

However, citing “stiff opposition” by Tribal Bodies, Civil Society Organisations (CSO), and most section of society, the NLA passed a resolution on March 28 repealing the Nagaland Municipal Act (NMA), 2001. 

On September 12, a new Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023 was introduced and referred to a 7-member Select Committee. 

On November 9, the NLA passed the new Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023 with a provision for 33% reservation for women in ULBs. 

The next day, the GoN apprised the Supreme Court that the process of ULB elections in the State would be completed before April 30, 2024. However, the issue is yet to be fully resolved.

Change of guards
Amid the feverish election campaign, La Ganesan was sworn in as the 21st Governor of Nagaland on February 20. 

Meanwhile, T John Longkumer stepped aside as the Director General of Police (DGP) by handing in his resignation letter on January 2 after his service extension generated considerable debate. Subsequently, the GoN issued a notice allowing Rupin Sharma, DG (Prisons & HG, CD & SDRF), to hold the charge of DGP with effect from January 7. 

The Supreme Court, on January 23, directed the GoN to pass orders within a week regarding the appointment of Sharma as the DGP.

Recurring Naga political question
With elections around the corner, ‘Solution, Not Election’ chorus was the catchphrase at the start of the year, even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah landed in Nagaland on January 6 for a low-key visit. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed an election rally on February 24 but steered clear of the Naga political issue. 
The Naga political issue made a return at the year-end with calls from various quarters for an earlier solution to the persistent issue.

However, the NSCN (IM) and NNPGs conveyed contrasting views on the issue. The WC-NNPGS asserted that Indo-Naga political talks have been ‘concluded, not deadlocked,’ while NSCN (IM) maintained that the last round of formal talks on November 14 was ‘not conclusive but not deadlocked.’

Despite no breakthrough in talks, there were significant developments within the Naga Political Groups (NPGs). It started in the first week of January when a rift within the Khango-led NSCN (K) emerged and later there was fissure within the Yung Aung-led NSCN (K).

On the other end, the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) declared “unconditional commitment” to collaborate for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the GoI on January 14.

Drug abuse and societal concerns
Issue of drug abuse emerged as major social concern and on June 26, Chief Secretary J Alam made a clarion call for the eradication of drug abuse as a public movement. 

Meanwhile, on September 15, Nagaland DGP Sharma issued the sternest warning yet to the State’s cops on drug abuse, trafficking, and alcoholism, including penalisation with ‘sukha’ discharge or premature retirement without any benefits. 

On December 13, he informed that out of the 49 personnel under investigation, eight had been dismissed, while three government servants from different departments have been arrested.

Meanwhile, on August 30, the CSOs in Dimapur, under the leadership of the Naga Council Dimapur, submitted a representation to the Nagaland Governor expressing their collective desire to repeal the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, from the district, with a ‘proper mechanism.’ 

Despite consensus that the Prohibition Act in Nagaland has proven ineffective, the GoN has so far failed to demonstrate the necessary political will for a thorough revaluation, opting instead for occasional adjustments; for instance, during the Business 20 (B20) Conference of the G20 Forum from April 4-6.

On July 15, the GoN issued yet another notification reinforcing the total ban on single-use plastic.

Other major developments
In June, the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, delivered a historic judgment, nullifying the GoN’s July 4, 2020 order imposing a blanket ban on the commercial import, trading, and sale of dogs, including dog meat. However, on August 16, the People for Animals (PFA) and Humane Society International/India (HSI) filed an appeal against the June 2 decision, and the matter remains pending. 

On September 12, the NLA resolved to seek exemption from the proposed enactment of the Uniform Civil Code in Nagaland, while on September 14, it passed a resolution countering the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, but with jargon hinting at ‘trying not to offend Delhi.’  A tragic incident occurred during the monsoon when a rockslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, claimed two lives and injured three along the Chümoukedima stretch of NH 29 on July 4. Inquiries were initiated, but the results, if any, are not in public domain.  In other developments, on April 13, the Nagaland Police informed that the Department of Military Affairs, Union Ministry of Defence has denied sanction for prosecution against all 30 accused in the December 5, 2021 Oting incident.

Reports of a potential agreement on oil exploration in disputed boundary areas during a meeting between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and CM Rio on April 20, meanwhile, drew sharp reactions, particularly from the NPGs. 

Amidst violence in Manipur since May 3, a coordinated operation by the GoN, Assam Rifles, and Nagaland Police brought back the first batch of 676 stranded people from Nagaland to Kohima on May 7.

The 24th edition of the Hornbill Festival attracted a total of 154,057 visitors at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, comprising 2,108 foreigners and 37,089 domestic tourists. The rest, 114,860, were local tourists from Nagaland.

As Nagaland steps into 2024, it is evident that lingering remnants from the past will persist in shaping the state of affairs and influencing its trajectory.

Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/historic-2023-for-nagaland-amid-protracted-naga-political-issue