‘Greater Nagalim’ claims: As NSCN(IM) deal nears fruition, why three Northeastern states are agitated

‘Greater Nagalim’ claims: As NSCN(IM) deal nears fruition, why three Northeastern states are agitated (Indian Express)

Context:

• Center may concluding a final agreement with the NSCN(IM) before Christmas.
• It has arisen fresh apprehensions in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur that large chunks of their territories may be lost to a “Greater Nagalim”.

Why is it in news?

• “The Framework Agreement” signed with the government of India in August 2015 “recognises the legitimate right of the Nagas to integration of all Naga territories”.
• However, it took over two years after the signing of the Framework Agreement, until November 17, 2017 for a Working Committee of six Naga National Political Groups to sign another agreement with R N Ravi, the government interlocutor for the Naga peace process, as part of the run-up to the final accord.

The map of Greater Nagalim:

• The map of Greater Nagalim comprising “all Naga-inhabited areas” shows a 1,20,000 sq km sprawl across the Northeast and Myanmar.
• It covers a sizeable portion of:
• Assam’s Tinsukia, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts;
• all of Longding, Tirap, Changlang, Lohit and Namsai districts in Arunachal; and
• large parts of Manipur’s Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong districts.
• The area of Nagaland state is only 16,527 sq km, a fraction of the NSCN(IM)’s “Greater Nagalim”.

What is the conflict between Assam and Nagaland?

• Assam has complained of encroachment by Nagaland.
• Assam says Nagaland has set up three civil subdivisions on Assamese territory.
• Friction over the boundary has led to several rounds of violence, leading to over a hundred deaths.
• Nagaland insists that more land that has “historically” belonged to the Nagas continues to remain under Assam’s “occupation”.
• The state says that the 16-point agreement of 1960 that led to its creation included the “restoration” of all Naga territories transferred out of the Naga Hills after the British annexed Assam in 1826.

Conclusion:

• The stand of the Assam government is clear.
• They will not allow any change to the state’s geography.