What are the Naga peace talks about?
Demand for a Greater Nagaland or Nagalim— covering Nagaland, its neighboring states and even parts of Myanmar— has been an important part of Naga nationalism. It's a demand being made for decades. The resulting insurgency has, over the course of decades, resulted in the killing of thousands of people, including civilians. Naga peace talks refer to talks undertaken between the Indian government and the various stakeholders in Nagaland to end insurgency within the four corners of the Constitution of India.
What is the genesis and history of the issue?
Nagalim is a demand being made for decades, the first sign being the formation of a Naga Club in 1918. In 1947, the Naga National Council (NNC) led by Angami Zapu Phizo declared Nagaland an independent state. Indian government sought to crush by sending in the Army and enacting the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act, or AFSPA 1958.The resulting insurgency has, over the course of decades led to killing of thousands of people, including civilians.
Over the course of years, even as the insurgency continued in Nagaland, efforts were made by the government to bring the insurgents to the table.
In 1975, a peace accord between the government and the NNC was signed, the Shillong Accord by which NNC promised to give up arms, but several senior leaders within the NNC did not agree. Some later split to form the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) (Isak-Muivah).
In 1997, the NSCN(I-M) signed a ceasefire agreement with the government. The agreement ensured that while the government would not push for counter-insurgency operations against the NSCN (I-M) cadre and its leadership, the rebels on their part would not target armed forces.
In 2015, government signed a framework agreement setting the stage for the ongoing peace talks.
What is the territorial extent of Nagalim?
The map of Greater Nagalim in the NSCN(IM) covers 1,20,000 sq km across the states of Assam, Arunachal and Manipur in the Northeast; and Myanmar — the area of Nagaland state itself is only 16,527 sq km.
What subjects are a part of the negotiations presently?
Government is not prepared to talk on the change in the boundary of states; However, the following concessions can be made: provide autonomous Naga territorial councils for Arunachal and Manipur; a common cultural body for Nagas across states; specific institutions for state’s development, integration and rehabilitation of non-state Naga militia and the removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.