NSCN (IM) stays firm on separate Naga flag and constitution demand

The stalemate in the Naga peace process continues with a crucial “national assembly” of the NSCN (IM) on Tuesday reiterating that it would not “compromise” on its stand for a separate flag and the constitution.

“Today in this august national assembly, before God and before the Naga people, we the members of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, under the leadership of chairman Q Tuccu, vice-chairman Tongmeth Wangnao and general secretary Th Muivah, solemnly take this decision to uphold and protect Naga unique history and Naga national principle at any cost,” read a brief declaration the outfit released to the media after the marathon meeting.

The resolution did not mention anything about the outfit’s demand for a separate flag and a constitution that has now become a bone of contention in its over two-decade long peace talks with New Delhi. But the message was clear as the NSCN (IM) has been maintaining that the Naga history, identity and the principle are symbolised by the flag and the constitution.

Chairman Tuccu leaves no doubts

The tone of the meeting at the outfit’s headquarters at Camp Hebron near Dimapur, Nagaland’s commercial capital, was set by chairman Q Tuccu who, in his address, asked how they could forfeit “Naga national flag and Naga constitution” that “define our political identity.”

Also read: Nagaland govt core committee on Naga Political Issue to meet NSCN(IM) leaders

Reiterating that they would continue to strive for an “honourable Naga political settlement with the Naga national flag flying high,” Tuccu said the NSCN (IM) would stand the ground “till the last man standing.”

“The meeting was held amidst tense moment and spontaneous upsurge of emotion as the issue to be decided matters (to) the Naga people’s political struggle of seven decades… the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue is in deadlock on the core issue of flag and constitution,” the outfit said in a press release.

The BJP-led government at the Centre earlier this month stated that it would not be able to concede to the twin demands for a flag and the constitution, prompting the NSCN (IM) to return from New Delhi insisting there would be no further negotiation.

The NSCN (IM), by clarifying its position once again, has put the ball in the Centre’s court. Now it is for the Centre to take a call on how to take the peace process forward.

Last week, the Nagaland assembly’s core committee on the Naga political issue met an NSCN (IM) delegation and urged them to continue the negotiations with the Centre despite the impasse over the flag and the constitution.

Go with NNPG, Centre advised

Amidst the deadlock, the Centre has been advised by certain quarters in Nagaland to sign a peace agreement with the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), a conglomerate of seven other Naga rebel groups that have also joined the peace process.

The group’s separate negotiations with the Centre have already got over and a signing of the agreement has been delayed only because the NSCN (IM) is yet to be on board.

Nagaland deputy chief minister Y Patton, who also holds home portfolio, stated at a tribal council programme recently that the peace agreement should not be delayed further.  “Those who don’t want a solution can go to hell…. For how many years should we wait… Enough is enough. We know why and because of whom there is not a final solution yet to the Indo-Naga political issue,” Patton, who is also a senior state BJP leader, said at an event of the Central Nagaland Tribal Council in an oblique reference to the NSCN (IM).

Former Nagaland chief minister S C Jamir too reportedly suggested to the Government of India to go ahead and sign the agreement with the NNPG if the NSCN (IM) is not ready to accept what has been already agreed upon and offered to it by the Centre.

Naga Ho Ho for inclusion of all groups

Most Naga civil society organisations, including the Naga Hoho, the apex tribal body, are against any such move as they feel it would be a repetition of past mistakes.

The past agreements have failed to bring permanent peace to the Naga inhabited areas as those deals were signed after side-lining the main players waging the insurgency. Apart from the state of Nagaland, there are significant Naga populations in parts of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and even Myanmar.

Also read: Centre withdraws AFSPA from parts of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur

Going by past experience, it is felt that any peace agreement without the NSCN (IM) would not be fruitful. “Unless and until all the groups are party to the peace agreement, we cannot have a final settlement. The issue will persist,” Naga Hoho president H K Zhimomi told The Federal recently.