Nagalim Times

11/12/2023

07/12/2023

*NSF, GNF slam setting up of ‘Army Morung’ at Hornbill Fest, Kisama*

Source: NP
December 5, 2023

Recalling that the Hornbill Festival in 2021 was abruptly called off following the Oting massacre by the Indian Army on December 4, 2021, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the Global Naga Forum (GNF) have expressed deep anguish and disappointment over the setting up of an Indian Army Morung in the ongoing Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.

NSF president Medovi Rhi and general secretary Chumben Khuvung described as “troubling” the move by the Indian Army to raise an Indian Army Morung at Naga Heritage Village.

NSF said that the act of setting up the Army Morung ostensibly done to “pay tribute to valiant soldiers” has ignited a wave of outrage and disbelief among the Naga people and human rights advocates. “The timing of this event is particularly distressing, given the unresolved and harrowing events surrounding the 2021 Hornbill Festival,” NSF said.

The federation stated that despite a government commission identifying 30 Indian army personnel as responsible for the heinous act, no criminal proceedings have been initiated against them even two years after the incident. NSF stated that “this failure of justice” intensified the pain and frustration felt by the Naga people. “Compounding this grievance is the continued enforcement of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland, which granted the Indian Army sweeping powers and facilitated the aforementioned massacre,” NSF stated.

It, therefore, “unequivocally” declared the Indian Army’s decision to raise an Indian Army Morung at the Naga Heritage Village as not only insensitive but also a direct affront to the established cultural norms of the Naga people. Further, NSF expressed dismay and questioned as to why the concerned departments allocated the site to the Indian Army in the very first place without due regard of the cultural appropriation and insensitivity to the deeply rooted traditions and values of the Naga people.

The federation demanded that the term “Indian Army Morung” be immediately replaced. It called upon the government of India to respect the sentiments of Nagas and “rectify this situation promptly.”NSF further urge Centre to address the longstanding demand of Naga people for repeal of AFSPA in the Naga homeland, and immediately initiate criminal proceedings against those responsible for the 2021 Oting massacre as an essential step towards justice and healing.

GNF: Global Naga Forum (GNF) expressed dismay that two years after the Oting and Mon massacre, the Indian Army raised a Naga Morung in the Naga Heritage Village “to pay tribute to the valiant soldiers” and “showcasing the rich culture and heritage of Nagaland.”

In a statement, GNF said that among other dignitaries, the Inspector General of the Assam Rifles (AR) was featured as a special guest at the Miss Hornbill International event. The forum described the Assam Riels as a force with a long, notorious history of committing atrocities against the Naga people including ra**ng and abusing women.

Further, GNF stated that 30 Indian army personnel were identified as responsible for the massacre by the state police special investigation team. However, the forum said the government of India has blocked criminal proceedings against the perpetrators of the crimes and the murder victims were still denied justice.

It also stated that AFSPA, 1958, which enabled the Indian Army to massacre the 14 innocent Naga civilians, was still in force in Nagaland. “This is the current scene in the unending drama of India’s grim gift of democracy and modernity to the Naga indigenous people who still live separated in four Indian states and in Myanmar,” GNF stated.

01/04/2022

Motto: Educate to Liberate

Naga Public School - an educational hub.
A school with a mission to educate and liberate.

26/07/2021

🔹🔶🔹

*PRESS STATEMENT OF HON'BLE HOME MINISTER, MIZORAM*
No.214/2021-2022

1. Around 200 (two hundred) Assam armed Police led by IGP, Assam Police accompanied by DC, Cachar, SP, Cachar and DFO, Cachar came to Vairengte Auto-rickshaw stand at around 11:30 a.m. today i.e., 26.07.2021. They forcibly crossed the duty post manned by CRPF personnel stationed there and overran a duty post manned by 1 (one) section of Mizoram police personnel. The Assam Police also damaged several vehicles that were travelling along the National Highway between Vairengte and Lailapur.

2. Upon learning of the arson committed by Assam Police, residents of Vairengte town, Kolasib District proceeded to the site to inquire. These unarmed civilians were assaulted by Assam Police by lathi charging them and firing tear gas, thereby causing injuries to several civilians.

3. SP, Kolasib and an Executive Magistrate went to meet them and try to resolve the issue. However, Assam side were adamant and unwilling to discuss the issue.

4. The confrontation continued and a volley of tear gas canisters and grenades were launched at Mizoram Police followed by firing from Assam side at around 4:50 p.m.

5. Mizoram Police responded spontaneously by firing back at Assam Police inspite of the fact that SP, Kolasib District was still inside CRPF duty camp negotiating with the Assam Police authorities.

6. The entire development had been quite unfortunate. It all started with the Assam Police aggression into the duty camps of CRPF and Mizoram Police near Vairengte Auto-Rickshaw stand.

7. With the intervention of the Hon'ble Union Home Minister who spoke to both the Chief Ministers, Assam Police have withdrawn from the place and the duty post bave been handed back to CRPF personnel.

8. The Government of Mizoram strongly condemns the unjustified act of the Government of Assam in this intrusion and aggression into the territory of Mizoram. The Government of Mizoram deeply regrets the needless injuries on both sides which could have been avoided and wishes a speedy recovery to all those injured.

9. The Government of Mizoram desires that the inter-state border issue with Assam be resolved in an atmosphere of peace and understanding. Accordingly, we call upon the State of Assam to create congenial environment for peaceful resolution of the dispute.

Posted by: Andrew H Lalremruata, MIS, IPRODated: 26th Jul 21 7:31 PM

24/11/2020

*Naga Public School*, Koide Biisho needs the following teachers:

1. *Poula Teacher* (Poumai language) preferably having teaching experience in Poula of minimum 1 year.

2. *Kindergarten Teacher* for K1&K2 (a married lady) having teaching experince and raising up children and well verse with basic phonetics.

3. *Dance & Music Teacher* (freshers also may apply)

Interested candidates may WhatsApp to: +62-85813959390 or call: +91-9863291611

⭕Kindly share in your village WhatsApp group.

14/11/2020

Poumai Pressure Group (PPG) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: *New Education Policy 2020*
Time: Nov 20, 2020 05:00 PM India

1. Dr. Angam, Principal, Mount Pisgah College, Senapati, Manipur
Topic: *The concept, objectived and implementation*

2. Sr. Veishene, Vice Principal, Carmel Teacher Training Institute, Sikkim
Topic: *NEP on school education*

3. Siile Anthony, Joint Registrar, JNU, New Delhi
Topic: *NEP on higher education*

*Moderator*:
Dr. R.B. Thohe Pou, Principal, Naga Public School, Koide Biisho, Manipur

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6581601207?pwd=aDVnWENpVzhhOXB3Y3BsV1hGWVFtQT09

Meeting ID: 658 160 1207
Passcode: 4GkMkY

05/10/2020

08/08/2020

NSF asks NPGs to disclose ‘agreed points’ with GoI

Last Updated on August 7, 2020 at 8:15 pm

Dimapur, August 7: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has appealed to both Naga political groups (NPGs) – NSCN-IM and NNPG – to lay out the clear post accord arrangement, governance model and ideology, which has been clearly agreed and accepted by the Government of India.

In a press release, NSF president Ninoto Awomi and vice president Dievi Yano maintained that Nagas have crossed the stage to be making political assumptions or interpretations, as any negotiation or agreement can be legally binding and conclusive if both parties mutually accept – GoI and the Naga Political Groups.

To ink the final agreement, the NSF insisted that it needs to be deliberated with transparency on what is best to be taken for the Naga society in the present political context, which has been agreed by GoI and Naga political groups.

“Our Naga political struggle is a people’s movement, therefore, it is the sentiment of the entire Naga youth and the Naga people in general to have a say by disclosing the agreed points and deliberate the points which is acceptable with the public in the present geo-political scenario, closely reviewing issues obstructing the early signing of the peace accord for permanent peace in the region.

“It is the wishes of the Naga youth in general and the Naga people that issues which need further deliberation and is a bottleneck to the peace accord be documented for Naga generations ahead to take the correct course of action. We are resolute that in the process ahead there can be no compromise on the unique history, identity, legitimate political rights and aspirations of the Nagas,” it stated. (Full Test) (Page News Service)

Source from nagaland Page.

01/07/2020

Dear Supporters, Congratulation and thanks to all the supporters for this genuine online campaign case. The TrueNat machines was procured and installed in the District hospital, Senapati, Manipur on 27 June 2020. Inauguration of TrueNat Testing Centre at District Hospital Senapati by Hon'ble Ministe...

29/06/2020

Little boy volunteers to stay with sister in quarantine

When in despair, what we need most and what will see us through are love, compassion and care. Amid the untold pain and sufferings duing this COVID-19 pandemic time, there are stories of love and comfort from far and near like a ray of light piercing through the dark tunnel. The story of a young boy who volunteered to stay with his sister in a quarantine in Ukhrul, Manipur is one of love and hope in times of trouble.

A 10-year-old-boy, volunteered to stay with his elder sister as she was alone in one of the camps at Soraphung Village Quarantine Centre. Soraphung village is located on the extreme end of the northern part of Ukhrul district, sharing borders with Nagaland state. About 100 km away from Ukhrul Headquarters, as per the 2011 census, the village has 164 houses and 875 people.

Since, the quarantine centre is located in the woods and far from the village settlement, staying alone in such a camp can be unsettling for some. As the younger brother volunteered to stay in the quarantine centre with her elder sister, an arrangement was made before she arrived.

The sister said, “I am very thankful that I have a brother who is brave and cares enough to accompany me in spite of the pandemic which has put everyone on their guard. I am very fortunate to have a brother whose love, care and protection have encouraged me to keep going.”

Soraphung Village Quarantine Centre has been set up at Uruluketu, about 5 km from the village settlement. Volunteers of Soraphung Youth Organisation are managing the quarantine centre.

The rules are clear and simple, every returnee has to undergo 28 days of quarantine period and can go home only after getting their test result. Any defaulter is to be strictly dealt with in consultation with the district administration.

There are seven camps with a distance of about 100 feet between two camps. Each camp is provided with clean water through pipe connection. The camps are fitted with solar lightning. Returnees are provided with ration, firewood to cook by themselves.

In the meantime, the swab samples of the two siblings have been tested negative and they will be leaving the quarantine centre in the next few days after the completion of mandatory 28-day quarantine period.

This, once again, reaffirms the need for support from the community and family that everyone has a role to play to overcome the pandemic. At the end of the day, all one needs is the reassurance that he or she is not alone while confronting the pandemic.

On Friday, a total of 22 returnees belonging to Soraphung returned home from different parts of India.

Four returnees have completed their 28 day quarantine period and have left the centre to be with their parents after getting their test results. On Saturday, another batch of 10 returnees will leave the quarantine centre for home.

Soraphung Youth Organisation has expressed their gratitude to MLA of Chingai assembly constituency Khashim Vashum and ADC Member, Wezope Lohe for their support and assistance.

https://ifp.co.in/little-boy-volunteers-to-stay-with-sister-in-quarantine

15/06/2020

Even after 23 days, the swab test in Senapati IQC is no completing.😰

Covid19 tested positive patients recovered and discharged, but other inmates who are tested negative are still waiting to complete their swab test in DBHSS@Maram, under Senapati District, Manipur transit center.😭😭

Which is better, tested covid19 positive and recovered after 14 days or tested negative and waited for 24 days and still no completing the test?

Two covid19 positive from Don Bosco Hr.Sec.School, Maram transit center recovered fully and discharged. However, the other inmates tested negative are still in DBHSS, awaiting to complete their test results.😰😰

11/06/2020

Senapati District Hospital Need a TrueNat machine

Our common people deserve some basic medical facilities in our district hospital.
Our common need basic amenities in all the districts or towns.

I have carried out a Whatsapp interview and discussions with Dr. D. Apao, a public health expert, and the following are the outcomes of the discussions with him.

1. Is this TrueNat for testing only Covid19 or can we also use for testing other diseases?

TrueNat actually can test over 30 disease condition including TB (the machine is known for this and is recommended by WHO), H1N1, malaria, influenza, HIV etc. It just needs to change the test kit. The machine will remain the same to test any if these disease conditions.

2.What is the cost of the Truenat machine?

Cost will depend on the size of the machine. The machine is categoriesed ad Uno, duo and Quattro or simple 1, 2 and 4 channel … according to no. of test done at a time.
The price ranges from 5 lacs to 19 lacs. The test kit for COVID19 is about Rs. 1340 each.

3. Which channel machine do you suggest for our Senapati District Hospital?

Immediate need is the 4 channel. So that we can test many people as fast as possible. But the cost may be too high. A two channels machine will be the best for Senapati District Hospital

It is informed that the central govt. has procured many devices that will be distributed to states under NTEP (national TB elimination program). If our govt. or the district already have the truenat machine, we need to only procure the COVID19 chips. This needs to be established with the TB program officers in the district.

4. How long time it may take to procure this machine?

This is an issue. All the State Governments are after the company Molbio diagnostics to get the machines. This is the only company that makes the machine and the test kits. The wait time is quite long. I will have to request the people in the company to expedite the process if we are buying one. But I will be able to approach them only when we are certain to buy one.

5. Do we have the manpower or technicians to run this machine?

The machine is very simple and easy to use. Anyone can actually run the machine. We certainly have lab technicians in district hospital. With a training for a day, they will be able to use it. The machine does not require any special environment to function. A strong table to keep the machine os all it needs. It is portable as it is battery operated. Which means it can function even when there is no electeicity. Once the electricity is there, the machine will be recharged.

Here we have some basic information about the Truenat, and we would like to update more information in case we are going to procure the machine. We need to sensitize our politicians, leaders and the public about the need to have Truenat machine in Senapati District Hospital.

Not only in Senapati District Hospital, Truenat machine needs to be installed in all the district hospitals and also in all the Primary Health Centers and sub-centre in Manipur, Nagaland and the whole states in India.

Please share this information with your local politicians, CSO leaders and to all the public. The public need to have some awareness on this aspect. it is our common people rights to have some basic medical facilities and amenities in our district hospital, and in our town.
R.B. Thohe Pou
Senapati, Manipur
___________________
Please open this link and sign in support of this petition to procure a truenat machine.🙏🙏

https://www.change.org/senapati-dist-hospital-needs-truenat

Senapati District Hospital needs TrueNat machine

09/06/2020

Open letter to honourable CM of Manipur

To
The Chief Minister of Manipur

Subject: Requisition to speed up Covid19 Swap Test in Senapati IQC

Sir,

1. With due respect and high expectation on your government, I write this letter to you for your kind attention and consideration. Personally, I consider you as one of the most courageous CM, the first people CM of Manipur and a man who walks the talk. One of the most admirable things by the common people about you as a leader is that you are easily accessible in social media and ready to interact with the common people. Today, only a few public leaders have the courage to face the common people in social media. We need more leaders like you who are approachable and able to interact with the common people.

2. The present global pandemic may force to take away many more people's jobs across the globe. Globally, about 195 millions of people have already lost their jobs till the first week of April 2020. In India, about 122 million people have already lost their jobs till in the month of May. Therefore, timely evacuation of stranded people of Manipur by your government is sincerely appreciated.

3. Currently, there are 1690 returnees in 22 Senapati Transit QC at present. In one of the Senapati Transit QCs at Don Bosco College, Maram, the returnees from Chennai have been in this QC in last 17 days; they have reached Maram on 24th May 2020. In this QC, 2 (two) of the returnees from Chennai were tested covid19 positive, and their swap retest have been completed. However, they are still waiting for their results. It may be necessary to give a special attention to this particular QC and speed up the swap test to avoid spreading of virus within the inmates.

4. There are 1690 returnees at present in Senapati District Transit QC, and most of them are waiting for their turn to take swap test. It is also very important to speed up taking swap test in all the QCs in Senapati since most of them are sharing common room, hall, toilets, bathroom etc. The returnees are worried that there could be high chances of infection with each other.

Therefore, you may kindly consider this requisition and give a special attention to speed up all the swap tests in Senapati district transit QC.

Thank you,

Yours sincerely,
Dr. R.B. Thohe Pou
Senapati, Manipur
9th June 2020

Copy to:

Shri L. Jayantakumar Singh, Health and Family Welfare
Shri Losii Dikho, PHED, Printing and Stationery
Shri N. Kayisii, Tribal and Hill Areas Development, Fisheries
Shri DD Thaisii, MLA

To The Chief Minister of Manipur Subject: Requisition to speed up Covid19 Swap Test in Senapati IQC Sir, 1. With due respect and high expectation on your govern…

31/05/2020

27/01/2020

NAGAS STOOD THEIR GROUND

When the going gets tough at the fag-end of Indo-Naga political talks on the core issue of Naga national flag and constitution, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) who is the chief negotiating party on behalf of the Nagas put its foot down and stood the ground to defend their God given political identity of the Naga nationhood symbolized by flag and constitution. The Naga CSOs (civil society organizations), church organizations, individual churches, student organizations, laymen and national workers of all rank and file rose boldly to make their stand loud and clear that Nagas will not accept solution that is not honorable. They dare to counter India’s representative and interlocutor RN. Ravi, cautioning him not to make roughshod of civil society organizations by giving undue importance to the so called ‘yes men’ groups invented by him to push forward his sinister game-plan.

The talk team of NSCN refused to be swayed by anything that compromise the national identity of the Nagas and committed to stand by the historic 3 rd August ,2015 Framework Agreement and warned the Government of India not to impose solution against the will of the Naga people.

Alarmed by the predicament, as many as forty two (42) indigenous organizations from the four (4) corners of the world appealed to Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi to exercise political wisdom and political will to settle the Indo-Naga political issue taking into cognizance the unique history of the Nagas and Framework Agreement.

Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR ) also urged Prime Minister Mr. Modi to learn from the consequences of the history of broken accords and not to repeat it. They went further to tell Modi not to go against the agreed principles- ‘without pre-conditions’ by unilaterally setting deadline.

Naga Hoho (NH) made its stand clear that imposed settlement is unacceptable to the Nagas when the core issues are yet to be resolved amicably. They also took the stand that Nagas cannot succumb to inducements of economic packages motivated by divide and rule policy of the Government of India. “Any accord that does not honor the Nagas’ legitimate rights for integration, separate Naga flag and constitution is neither honorable nor acceptable to the Nagas.”

Naga Students’ Federation (NSF ) also jumped into the fray to write to the Prime Minister Mr. Modi to take note of the unique history of the Nagas and that Nagas will never accept a solution that is imposed on the Nagas. They appealed to Mr. Modi not to repeat the failures of 16-Point Agree ment and Shillong Accord. “Nagas to accept honorable political solution that defines and recognize Naga’s identity as a distinct people.”

Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA ) took exception to the Interlocutor’s style of selective approach and urged him to abstain from such selective division of the Nagas.

It is, however, a matter of indignation when Mr. Ravi to whom the Nagas have put so much trust after he landed in Kohima as Nagaland Governor-cum-Interlocutor changed color to play the scheming devil to dislodge the chief negotiating party NSCN and replace with NNPGs by setting three (3) months deadline to fall in his line. Going further, Ravi coined the new term “prime stakeholders” in a bid to sideline the backbone groups like Naga Hoho (NH), Naga Mother’s Association (NMA), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and go ahead with his ‘yes men’ groups (so-called primary stakeholders) to speed up his divisive policy. But, Nagas refused to take cognizance of his so called ‘primary stakeholders’.

God never fail the Nagas. Breakthrough and understanding arrived at the talks on 31 October, 2019 wherein GoI gave assurance on the issues of Naga national flag and constitution to resolve them at the earliest while focus should be shifted to give final touch on the agreed competencies for conclusion.

In the meantime, serious discussions are underway to finalize the competencies. Our negotiating team is cautiously on guard lest mistakes of the past agreements are repeated. We cannot afford to give rooms for such complications to come up in future.

Kuknalim!

Source: Nagalim Voice

24/11/2019

Soon, coats for cows at shelter in Ayodhya

Nov 24. 03: 34 am. With the winter setting in and the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh making preservation of cows its priority, the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation is getting jute coats stitched for 1,200 cattle at its cow shelter.

Mayor Rishikesh Upadhyay, a BJP leader, said: 'Generally, cows are given jute bags to save them from cold. But they keep falling off. So we thought of getting coats stitched for the cows. We are first going to get a few samples made of such coats. If they work, we will order more. A farmer, Rajju Pandey, has been given the contract to get these coats stitched.'
Upadhyay said that if the initiative works well, 'we will suggest it to the state government. If they like it, they can emulate the initiative at other cow shelters in the state'.

The Corporation's cow shelter is located at Baishingpur village, 16 km from Ayodhya town, and currently houses around 1,200 cattle — 700-800 bulls and the rest being cows and calves, according to officials.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner, Ayodhya, Harish Chandra Singh, said the initiative was taken on directions from Municipal Commissioner Sachidanand Singh. 'We are in the process of getting the coats made. We have placed an order for a few samples, and after they are made, it will become clear how much it will cost. The logistics will become clear in a weeks' time,' Singh said.

Chief Veterinary Officer, Ayodhya, Ashok Kumar Srivastava said he has already told people in charge of running gaushalas to copy the initiative.

08/11/2019

NAGA PEACE PROCESS BACK ON TRACK AGAIN

THE ASIAN AGE
7 November, 2019

Bharat Bhusan
(The writer is a senior journalist based in New Delhi)

In the end, it seems that the Nagas have neither given up their demand for a separate flag nor for a Naga constitution.

The deadline set by the government for settling the seven-decade-old Naga issue has come and gone. The ultimatum to “settle by October 31 or else” did not weaken the resolve of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muviah) to persist with its key demands.

In the end, it seems that the Nagas have neither given up their demand for a separate flag nor for a Naga constitution. New Delhi has wisely chosen to blink first but made it clear that it does not recognise these two demands. However, it has also agreed to keep discussions open on them in the ongoing peace process.

Reports that the NSCN (I-M) had agreed to the use of the Naga flag only for social and cultural purposes now appear to be misleading. This was apparently a suggestion of the government that was rejected by the NSCN (I-M). The Naga argument has always been that the flag is a symbol of their identity and its importance cannot be eroded.

Contrary to the misconception that the Naga flag is the flag only of of the NSCN (I-M), it predates the formation of the organisation. It has been hoisted by the Nagas since 1956, beginning with legendary separatist leader Angami Zapu Phizo, who declared Naga “independence” on August 14, 1947, a day before India attained freedom. It has been the symbol of Naga identity and struggle and binds all Naga tribes. It is unlikely that any Naga group will agree to give up easily on the flag, least of all the NSCN (I-M), which has lost hundreds of lives under that banner.

The NSCN (I-M) has also not retracted on its demand for a separate constitution, but has agreed to discuss the issue further. The demand for a separate constitution derives from the Naga belief, much as New Delhi may not like it, that they were never a part of India either by consent or by conquest. The Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and the NSCN (I-M) on August 3, 2015 recognised the “unique history and position” of the Nagas and the “universal principle that in a democracy sovereignty lies with the people”. It, therefore, proposed forging “an enduring inclusive new relationship of peaceful co-existence of two entities”. This relationship was to be defined by “sharing the sovereign power as defined in the competencies” in the Indian Constitution.

The agreement’s recognition of the Nagas as a separate entity was read by the NSCN (I-M) as acceptance by Delhi that the Naga people were sovereign who were ready for “sharing sovereignty” by defining a new federal relationship with the Union of India. As a separate entity or a “nation”, the NSCN (I-M) believes that it is entitled to its own constitution even while seeking a close relationship with Delhi.

The Indian government’s negotiators perhaps read the agreement differently and did not mean to concede the Naga interpretation of “sharing sovereignty”, or implying that because “the history and position of the Nagas” was unique therefore the power sharing with them would also be unique.

The dilemma of the government is unenviable. As a signatory to the Framework Agreement, the space for manoeuvre for the government’s negotiators is fairly limited. So as not to jeopardise the peace process, the two sides seem to have put the contentious issues aside for the time being, promising to discuss them nonetheless in the future.

The government has made it clear that it is not in a position to concede either the Naga flag or a Naga constitution, but has emphasised that it understands the Naga sentiments. The NSCN (I-M) also understands the difficulties of the government. To this end, it has been noted that “both sides understood each other’s position” and therefore, “respecting the will of the Naga people and prevailing sentiments, the GoI and NSCN agreed that the two issues will be resolved amicably at the earliest possible through (an) earnest peaceful political process”.

The compromise saves the 22-year-old peace process and pending the settlement of the contentious issues, other details of defining the federal relationship -- of sharing of competencies or subjects listed in the Union, State and Concurrent Lists of the Indian Constitution — can proceed apace.

Meanwhile, there were seven groups — the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) — that were eager to settle with Delhi without a separate flag and a separate constitution. But, Naga civil society groups were opposed to any such move and NNPG leaders, fearing that they would be isolated, were not keen to sign an agreement if it excluded the largest armed group, the NSCN (I-M).

Although New Delhi had opened parallel negotiations with them, now government negotiators have suggested to NSCN (I-M) interlocutors that they should include the NNPGs in the final peace accord. The NSCN (I-M)’s argument against the NNPGs is that its members are either those who have signed past accords that failed, or worse, are factions that exist under the protection of the Indian security forces. These groups, they assert, have lost any right to represent the Naga nationalist cause.

The NSCN (I-M)’s position is that allowing them to participate in the dialogue, given their factional and hostile activities in the past, has to be based on a clear political understanding. This common political position can be acceptance of the Framework Agreement of August 2015. That agreement was hammered out after decades of negotiations led on the Naga side by the NSCN (I-M), and sets the political boundaries of any final accord.

While there seems to have been considerable agreement between the two sides on the competencies of the Nagaland government, several contentious issues remain. Though not insurmountable, they are complex. The proposal on creating territorial autonomous councils for Nagas in the states adjoining Nagaland — Manipur, Arunachal and Assam — without impacting their boundaries, for example, will not be easy, as the state governments will have to be brought on board. The Naga peace settlement is, therefore, still some distance away. It requires considerable patience and political acumen — not ultimatums.