Why India should no longer play the “Delay Tactics”?

By P. Chongloui

The British Raj was undone by the Congress and the same pursuit of ‘Congress Mukth Bharat’ is being pursued by the Bharatija Janata Party (BJP) fervently all over India and more so in the NE India. The success of the later is a little doubtful as we inch closer to 2019 General Elections. It is even more doubtful for Nagaland Election 2018. The problems afflicting NE India are complex and varied but I want to point out that both BJP and the subsequent Congress governments have  adopted the same approach of ‘Wait and Watch’ and ‘Delay Tactics’ when it comes to solving them.

This could, perhaps, be their Achilles heels in this Election. For the purpose of this article, I want to treat issues raised and fought for by the so called NE ‘major extremist groups’ differently from the Kashmiri Azaadi Issue since many have come under the ambit of Ceasefire or Suspension of operations with Govt. of India. The Nagas and Kukis have been close knit neighbours and invariably their problems and solutions are also knotted, solve one and ignore the other; then the neglected one may become a sore thumb in the near future. The problem needs a win-win approach, a simultaneous solution and involvement of both stakeholders.

A look at insurgency problem in all 7 NE States will be like looking into a bottomless pit with no water. Water is used as a metaphor to finding solution to the insurgency and its associated problems. India won its freedom at ‘Midnight’ of 14 August 1947 but some of the problems are inherited and predates the midnight. The conundrum of insurgency as well as the aspirations and existence of self awareness and identity as distinct group of people vis-a vis other Indians and other communities and neighbours even in the NE India and the strive for complete integration with the rest of India had neither been an easy ride nor a smooth one.

The lack of empathy and sitting long enough on a problem for the problem to solve itself, which was made famous by the former PM, P. V. Narasimha Rao, seems to be the official approach or policy when it comes to dealing with problems and issues concerning NE India. It is more so apparent when it comes to finding solutions and conclusions on the ceasefire agreements signed with NSCM (IM) and Suspension of Operation (SoO) signed with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) or KNO/ UPF of the kindred Kuki groups.  This approach has alienated NE Indians and has not done any good to the concept of a unified India and ‘Unity in Diversity’.

The Ceasefire agreement with NSCN (IM) was signed by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on July 25, 1997 and it came into effect on August 1, 1997.  Talks and  prolonged negotiations for an “honourable solution” to a ‘unique historic’ problem continued for the last 21 years and is still going on even post the historic speech given by our dear PM, Shri Moodiji, after signing the historic deal between Centre and NSCN IM on August 5, 2015. Three good years have gone by since that day the speech was given and the supposedly sealed and final deal was arrived at, but nothing is really happening in Nagaland or the proposed area for inclusion into Greater Nagalim. Again in the context of Ngaland Elections, the U-turn by a few political parties to contest Nagaland State’ election, 2018 going against their earlier unanimous all party decision and Naga groups calling for “Solution before Election” would be akin to rubbing salt to the wounds of the people of Nagaland. For BJP this move could turn their Congress Mukht Bharat just a pipe dream. This may not bode well for the parties concerned but what is more at stake here is the diminishing returns for India’s in its effort to win the hearts and minds of the Nagas in its bid for total national integration.

“Justice delayed is justice denied” is an often used for Courts and in the case of Nagaland and Naga issue; it can safely be said “Solution delayed is solution denied”. The situation and solution would be complicated and complex since it involves neighbouring states and neighbouring major tribes and communities such as the Meiteis, Kukis, Dimasas, Assamese and host of other tribes. The 5th August deal is so shrouded in mystery and secrecy that its details seemingly are not known  by the Home Minister; but only the PM and Mr. Muivah, Ato Kilonser, are privy to this document. Naturally, there is a lurking fear that it could affect the territorial integrity of neighbouring states – Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. For communities such as the Kukis, Meiteis and Dimasas, who were and are their neighbours for ages, they fear that they could suffer from disadvantages or becoming minorities or and suffer other unknown disabilities politically and otherwise, if they are clubbed into the proposed Nagalim of NSCN (IM).

It is difficult to comprehend or carry out win-win negotiations with multiple groups until the final details of the deal is made known. As the ‘Deal’ is not yet made known though it had been signed by the PM and Ato Kilonser of the NSCN (IM), the less said the better. This episode is rather strange and rare; fro we a democratic set-up with RTI in place. Going forward, the peace deal is poised to face hurdles from within the Naga community and the neighbours as well. The way forward is openness and transparency and ‘talking and taking’ all stakeholders on-board. Emotional and social, if not political, integration of the Nagas could be attempted to placate all stakeholders.

As for KNO-UPF, the unified front for Kukis, claiming to represent the Kukis interest in their fight for statehood; they have now scaled down their demand to Territorial Council with other specific demands such as cross border free movement of their people living in the borders and passport etc. The KNO-UPF combined signed the Tripartite Suspension of Operations with the Centre represented by Naveen Verma, Joint Secretary (North East), Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government of Manipur represented by DS Poonia, Principal Secretary (Home) on August 22, 2008 and they are in their designated camps since then. Intermittent talks are on and the response and level of importance accorded to them is far from “honourable”; yet for the sake of peace and finding solution, the talks are on. Whether it is for better or worse, it remains to be seen.

The Kuki imbroglio started with the advent of the British and the Great Ango-Kuki war of 1917-19, there is a section of opinion within the Kuki diaspora who believe that India cannot and should not solve problems that predates their midnight or issues created by the British since it goes beyond their jurisdiction. And they consider trifurcation of the so named “Kuki Country” as found in colonial writings as an international issue to be tackled at UN level, organisation related with human rights are on this issue as it also affects their political and human rights under the ECOSOC platform. The response shown by the combined is healthy and Govt. of India must accord the respect and honour they deserve and expedite their search for agreeable and win-win solution to this section of Kuki political view which aspires for a settlement as Territorial council with sixth schedule at the earliest. The wait and watch policy could ignite the other strand of political view and aspirations which could even have international implication.

The nation has waited enough and so have the Nagas and also the Kukis. It is time to stop the delaying tactics and find a solution. Otherwise, the problems like virus could mutate and blow in our face. “No solution, No Elections” might be a little on the extreme. But it reflects the frustrations of the common Nagas. Let the elections be held; however, pray that thing don’t go back to delay and chalta hai attitude. The India of our dreams will never see the light of day with policy makers and those in power playing the delay tactic. Man up and solve the problem.

P. Chongloui is a creative thinker & writer, political, peace and human rights activist