The Hindu : Pragmatic solution needed for Nagaland

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 16, 2003

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National

Pragmatic solution needed for Nagaland

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI FEB. 15. With all sections of people in Nagaland showing "vested interest for peace", the peace talks provided an opportunity to find a solution and it should be seized. While talking to adversaries, there should not be an approach of `subjugation'. In any peace agreement, there could not be a complete victory for one and a complete defeat for another. With a view to ensure overall development of the State's economy, total sub-regional planning was needed and it would also help prevent exploitation by people from outside the State. These were some of the views expressed at an inter-action meeting on the "Nagaland peace process", organised by the Observer Research Foundation here on Saturday.

The Rapporteur of the National Human Rights Commission and a former Director-General of Police, Nagaland, Chamanlal, who had been involved in the peace process, said that during his interactions with the people, he found that they were tired of violence. They had realised that the Union Government would not grant complete independence to them. So a more pragmatic solution was needed.

A major factor related to the State's territory— Nagas were not confined to Nagaland alone; they also lived in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Efforts should be made to ensure that the people retained their distinct identity and ethos. "This shows that we have to approach this issue not on the basis of territory or Constitution alone".

The requirement was understanding, accommodation and firmness. It should be realised that the Naga insurgency was the "mother of all insurgencies" and ushering in peace would mean peace for the entire northeast. Before holding talks with the leaders, the Parliament of Tribes should also be consulted, he said.

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