Details of 2015 Naga agreement emerge

Details of 2015 Naga agreement emerge

News:

1. The government has signed a framework agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah(NSCN-IM) after it agreed on a settlement within the Indian federation with a “special status”.

Important facts:

• Attempts were made from time to time to resolve the issue through discussion with representatives of the Naga people.
•  A fresh attempt for a comprehensive resolution was initiated with the NSCN in 1997.
• Even PM Modi on several occasions, articulated his vision for transforming the Northeast and has attached the highest priority to peace, security, connectivity and economic development in the region. This has also been at the heart of the Government’s foreign policy, especially ‘Act East’ Policy.
• Recently, the 213^th report on the security situation in the northeast states tabled in the Rajya Sabha by the Parliamentary Standing Committee.

2. The framework agreement contains the following aspects:

• The framework agreement recognizes the uniqueness of Naga history.
• Some special arrangement will be made for Nagas.
• For example with respect to Nagaland, Article 371 A of the Constitution make it clear that they are special and a special status has been accorded to them.
• A similar kind of status, with some local variation, and some change to the Nagas in the neighbouring States can be explored.
• The Nagas had now reached a common understanding with the government that “boundaries” of the States will not be touched” and some special arrangements will have to be made for the Nagas, wherever they are”.
• The Interlocutor apprised the committee about the broad status of the negotiations that boundaries of any State will neither be changed nor altered.
• Initially, the Nagas had struck to the idea of unification of Naga inhabited areas.
• The NSCN-IM,has been fighting for ‘Greater Nagaland’ – it wants to extend Nagaland’s borders by including Naga-dominated areas in neighbouring States.
• The NSCN was represented by its entire collective leadership and senior leaders of various Naga tribes.

3. The agreement will have the following benefits:

• This agreement will end the oldest insurgency in the country.
• It will restore peace and pave the way for prosperity in the North East.
• It will advance a life of dignity, opportunity and equity for the Naga people, based on their genius and consistent with the uniqueness of the Naga people and their culture and traditions.