The Naga Peace Talks are Heading For a Rough Patch

Over the course of a series of talks, the NNPGs and civil society groups have been urging the Government of India to come clean on the issue of raids..

The Naga National Political Group’s (NNPG) decision to suspend  all conversation with the Government of India continues, with the Assam Rifles refuting all allegations levelled at them. The Apex Naga bodies have  appealed for the talks to be resumed, while the Naga Scholars' Association (NSA) have demanded that the Government of India come clean on the dual game that is being played.

On  2nd June, the Assam Rifles carried out a raid on the home of V. Nagi, a Naga National Council (Non–Accordist NNC (NA)) member. The raid was carried out in his absence, while he was in Delhi pursuing talks with the Government of India. The paramilitary force allegedly broke  into his house and seized cash, weapons, and documents. The NNC quickly refuted the claims of the Assam Rifles and alleged that the force had ransacked and stolen land documents as well as documents pertaining to fixed deposits. The release also termed the weapons seized as ceremonial, and mementos having no utility as instruments of war. Apart from this, the release further alleged that the Assam Rifles had threatened Nagi's son and harassed girls residing in a  hostel next to the house. The Assam Rifles however, refuted all allegations levelled against them.

Following the  2nd June raid, the Working Committee of the NNPGs  announced that they would not be attending the talk on  7th June. Their decision has been viewed sympathetically by certain sections of the Naga civil society who recognise that the raids and arrests have been occurring for some time now. They have also called for the Government of India to explain how peace talks and raids can take place simultaneously. At the same time, they have also requested the Working Committee to review their decision since the resumption of talks is in the people's interest.

The NNPGs consists of six groups, some of which are breakaways from the Naga National Council, while the others are breakaways of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). Individually, these groups are not very powerful together however, they form a powerful voice. The NNPGs, along with the NSCN (Isak Muivah), have been in negotiations with the Government of India since the 'historic' framework agreement was signed in 2015. The NSCN (IM) is by far the most powerful group among them. However, if the Indian government wants to be able to find a solution, all the groups need to be taken on board. Continuing the talks with the NSCN (IM) alone will not solve anything and may actually antagonise the other groups further.

On the other hand, if the talks were to be derailed, it would be to everybody's detriment. Nagaland has become progressively more 'peaceful' over the years with more groups entering ceasefire agreements with the government. A breakdown in talks could reverse all that has been gained and turn Nagaland into a garrison state once again. The groups have made one thing clear, even though they are not sure whether or not the raids were officially ordered, they are not willing to continue the talks if even basic courtesy is absent from the government's side. The government, on the other hand, is likely to have an eye on the 2019 polls. If a 'peace deal' does not materialise by then, and the talks remain in shambles, the glory of the 2015 'historic' agreement will soon be exposed as a farce.