The Union Government of India has recently announced a one-year ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki Group. This move marks an important step in the Naga peace process and aligns with Prime Minister’s vision to secure an ‘insurgency free, prosperous North East’.
The Naga Peace Process
India became independent in 1947, following which the Naga territory stayed as a part of Assam initially. It was only in 1957 that an agreement between Naga leaders and the Indian government led to the formation of a single administrative unit combining the Naga Hills region of Assam with the Tuensang northeastern frontier division. Despite achieving statehood in 1963, Nagaland continued to witness rebel activities.
Prime Minister’s Vision for a Prosperous North East
The North East is recognized as being crucial for India’s national security. The objective is to resolve all disputes in the region by 2022, paving the way to invite peace and development in the Northeast by 2023. To achieve this, the Government is focusing on enriching the dignity, culture, language, literature, and music of the North East. Several peace agreements have also been signed over the years with military outfits in northeast India.
Various Peace Agreements
For instance, the Karbi Anglong Agreement (2021) involved a tripartite agreement among five insurgent groups of Assam, the Central and state government of Assam. Under the Bru Accord (2020), the permanent settlement of 6959 Bru families in Tripura was agreed upon. In the Bodo Peace Accord (2020), the Government of India, Government of Assam, and representatives of Bodo groups agreed to provide more autonomy to the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). Other notable agreements were signed with military outfits involved in Naga Insurgency like NSCN(NK), NSCN(R), NSCN(K)-Khango, and NSCN(IM).
Conflict in Northeast India
Conflicts in Northeast India are of various types. National Conflicts center around the concept of a distinct ‘homeland’ as a separate nation, as seen with the Naga insurgency. Ethnic Conflicts involve smaller tribal groups asserting themselves against the dominant tribal group’s political and cultural hold. Tripura, for example, has witnessed major violence and terror due to such tensions. Sub-regional Conflicts involve movements for recognition of sub-regional aspirations that often conflict with State Governments or autonomous Councils. Mizoram- after a violent insurgency phase- has now become a peaceful state. Other reasons for conflict include sponsored terrorism, continuous inflow of migrants from across borders and control over critical economic resources.
Modes of Conflict Resolution
The government uses several methods to resolve these conflicts. Strengthening security forces or ‘police action’ is one approach. Extending more local autonomy through mechanisms such as conferment of Statehood, the Sixth Schedule, Special Provisions under PART XXI of the Constitution is another. The government also negotiates with insurgent outfits and carries out development activities including special economic packages.
