An avoidable step

THE DECISION BY the Union Government, at long last, to restrict the ceasefire agreement with the NSCN(I-M) to the State of Nagaland alone (and not to all the Naga-inhabited areas in the North-Eastern States as announced earlier) is indeed a welcome step. The Centre had underestimated the gravity of the situation, causing a violent agitation in Manipur for over a month. The immediate fallout of the June 14 announcement - extending the ceasefire agreement with the NSCN(I-M) to the Naga-inhabited districts in Manipur and Assam - was a violent backlash emerging from the fear that the agreement could lead to legitimising the demand for a ``greater Nagaland.'' Clearly, the Union Home Ministry and its interlocutor, Mr. Padmanabiah, who struck the deal with the NSCN leaders (Mr. Thiuangaleng Muivah and Mr. Issac Chisi Swu) did not properly assess the implications of including the three words ``without territorial limits'' in the agreement. It is simply baffling that such a casual approach was adopted in dealing with an organisation that is wedded to secessionism as a primary objective.

The developments after the June 14 announcement, particularly the violence that gripped Imphal leading to the torching of several buildings there, including the Assembly and the Secretariat, was indeed a pointer to the apprehension among the people of Manipur. They saw in the idea of extending the ceasefire ``without territorial limits'' the scope for the NSCN to further its demand for a ``greater Nagaland.'' They were not, in any way, opposing the ceasefire as such (as long as it was restricted to Nagaland). The Union Government, indeed, was left with no option other than to re-negotiate with the NSCN(I-M) leaders. That Mr. Muivah and Mr. Issac, have agreed to having the ceasefire only within Nagaland is indeed an indication that the rebel outfit is keen on a negotiated settlement. And this is the message that must be taken seriously by those in the Union Home Ministry in the course of further talks with the outfit. Apart from this, it is now imperative for Mr. Vajpayee to spell out in categorical terms that any agreement will have to be within the framework of the Constitution and that the NSCN(I-M) will have to give up its demand for a ``greater Nagaland'' outside India. Any reticence by the NSCN(I-M) on this count should not be permitted. For, letting the outfit persist with the demand could only serve as an impetus to the various other armed outfits in the region to adopt such postures. It is necessary that the terms of the agreement and the framework for negotiations are made clear at this stage.

Be that as it may, it is a fact that the basis of all the trouble in Nagaland (and the whole of the North-Eastern region for that matter) is the all round failure of the political system (both at the Centre and in those States) in addressing the developmental needs of the people. It is not as though there has been a shortage of funds. On the contrary, a lot of money meant for the region's economic development has either not reached the people or has been spent without adequate planning. There has also been the problem of political parties and outfits in the region allowing themselves to be reduced to appendages of the party ruling at the Centre. It is important that these issues are addressed by all those who matter in New Delhi's political establishment even while the officials in the Union Home Ministry engage themselves in the negotiations with the NSCN(I-M) for a lasting solution. Now is the time to seize the opportunity.

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Section  : Opinion
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