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We are happy to know that R.N. Ravi, Interlocutor for the Naga Peace Process and now Governor of Nagaland, have been promoted twice while serving as the Interlocutor. The NSCN-IM should also be grateful that the Framework Agreement was signed during this period.
How the Current Indo-Naga Talks Began: Though the NSCN faced a huge setback in the 80s, twelve years after its formation, through the initiative of the organization, Nagalim was admitted in the UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation) on 23 January, 1993. This was widely published in the international media. And Nagalim was featured in the Times Magazine the same year. (Some of the former members of the UNPO such as Armenia, East Timor, Estonia, Latvia, Georgia and Palau, have gained full independence and joined the United Nations.)
Informal Naga political talks at the Indian Prime Minister level began in 1994, a year after NSCN leaders actively interacted with World political leaders through the UNPO, and the then PM, Mr. Narasimha Rao met Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah in Paris in 1995. Two years later, the Indo-Naga second ceasefire was announced in the Parliament by the Prime Minister, Mr. I.K. Gujral and political negotiation began in 1997.
It may be mentioned here that some of the splintered Naga political groups came for negotiation much later.
Framework Agreement: The greatest achievement in the talks so far is the Framework Agreement, 2015 in which [1] The Uniqueness of the Naga political situation was recognized, (meaning Nagas were not a part of India from the beginning and unlike other Princely states, Nagas did not agree nor signed to be a part when India gained independence from the British rule, and thus it is a forced union) and [2] both sides agreed to end the conflict through shared sovereignty. Though we are not privy to all the minute details of the talks, it is understood to one and all that Naga solution is to be based on the Framework Agreement. The whole world is watching how the longest national struggle in the world is being settled.
In the second term of the Modi government, in Kashmir, India has abrogated Article 370, and to my mind, the Modi government is planning to rescind the Naga Framework Agreement signed four years back at any cost.
Marathon race: Naga national struggle is like a marathon. Like some have been running from Dimapur to Kohima, a long distance. They are, of course, very tired. Just when they are about to reach Kohima Football ground, some energetic young men joined the race halfway. Many are cheering that they have arrived. Is Ravi waiting to garland them?
More than 50 years back, in 1968, when the current Indian leaders were very young, Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah were dining with Zhou En Lai, the first Premier of the People’s Republic China.
When Indira Gandhi, grandmother of Rahul Gandhi, was just 36 years old, she came with her father, Nehru in Kohima and in the meeting, the Prime Minister of Burma, U Nu was also present. The Naga villagers went out in protest because they were not allowed to speak nor to give a memorandum. India and Burma planned to divide the Naga Land.
To read the further articles please get your copy of Eastern Panorama November issue @http://www.magzter.com/IN/Hill-Publications/Eastern-Panorama/News/ or mail to contact @easternpanorama.in
