The Naga Peace Talks: Some Glimmer of Hope
27 Jan, 2003 · 960
R Radhakrishnan provides a backgrounder on the Naga issue
Since independence, a series of problems ranging from uneven development, electoral politics, influence of Christianity, minority syndrome, and influx of illegal migrants have shaped the politicization of ethnic identities and the separatist movements in the Northeast.
India
marches ahead with its nation building project, the peace talks between the central government and leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN IM) provides some hope. The present talks assume significance as there is a general consensus cutting across internal tribal divisions in favour of talks with the Indian government. The BJP-led government had initiated talks with the NSCN (IM) in September 1998, which has continued in
Thailand
and various European capitals. The arrival of Isaac Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, the leaders of NSCN (IM), in
New Delhi
is a step forward in this direction, following the ceasefire in 1997, and the recent lifting of the ban on the organisation. The meeting that took place on 8 January 2003 has been hailed as a milestone and the first of its kind in 36 years.
As
The politicization of Naga ethnicity can be traced to the formation of a Naga club in 1918 comprising members of the new Naga middle class. The first document which highlights their concerns and fears is their memorandum submitted to the Simon Commission in 1929. Their apprehension about losing their autonomy was evident by the statement by one of its members, “you the British are the only people who have ever conquered us and when you go we should be left as we were.â€Â
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