EMN
Dimapur, December 20
A book on the Indo-Naga peace process with focus on the proposed ‘Naga peace accord’ was launched on December 18 by three leading Naga personalities Rev Dr Tuisem Shishak, Niketu Iralu and Rev Dr Wati Aier.
The book titled ‘A Way Forward—the idea of a peace accord between India and the Nagas’ has been written by senior journalist and founding editor of The Morung Express, Along Longkumer.
In a simple yet innovative way, the book launch was held without any kind of a formal programme with the three personalities dedicating the book in different places. Dr. Lanusangla Tzudir of Heritage Publishing House handed copies of the book to the three.
Describing Rev Dr Tuisem Shishak, Niketu Iralu and Rev Dr Wati Aier as the ‘triumphant three’ of our times, the author, who is currently out of Nagaland, has in a press note, expressed admiration for their contribution towards the Nagas and for being true role-models, especially for the upcoming generation. “It is only fitting therefore that the three of them who continue to inspire us all should release this book of mine”, stated the author in the press release.
The book, according to Along Longkumer, is an attempt to understand some of the important questions in the peace process between India and the Nagas. How to resolve these have been suggested with possible formulations including on the two core issues of sovereignty and integration. The book explores the idea of a ‘quasi-sovereign’ status for the Nagas, relation with India to be in the nature of an ‘associate state’ on the lines of the United States and Puerto Rico.
On the complex issue of integration, the author explores the idea of a ‘cross-border’ arrangement to bring together the Naga inhabited areas. In this regard the author puts forth the idea to “create a compact zone of peace, development and economic cooperation across the entire Naga-inhabited areas”. The book also suggests that Article 244A of the Indian constitution has been ‘tailor made’ to address the complexity of Naga integration and this provision should be explored as a possible way forward pending the redrawing of State boundaries. Possibilities to bring the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) into some kind of a power-sharing arrangement have also been suggested. According to the book, “a reformed and unified NNC can be that meeting point for all Nagas, including the warring groups to reconcile and come together in some form”. In return for accepting the NNC as the apex institution representing the Naga people, the executive powers or national government should be vested in the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland or GPRN, states the book.
A thought provoking suggestion put forward by the author is to remodel the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) into some kind of role within the proposed Pan-Naga structure that is expected to take shape. Further, the ideas of Shared Sovereignty, Special Federal relationship, Pan-Naga body etc., have been discussed along with few suggestions or formulations.
The basis for a solution between India and the Nagas is also explored in some detail with an attempt to come out with some out-of-the-box ideas for a political solution. According to the author, “the sole intention of writing this book is not to challenge existing proposals but only to add to the larger discourse both for the present and future consideration”. A summary of this book is presented under the title ‘The Way Forward: A Manifesto for Dialogue’.
The author has explained that the core philosophy of the book is “simply to light up the thoughts of readers and point the way forward”. “The thinking behind the formulations presented in the book is to be moderate, to find a balance and chart out a middle-path”, states Along Longkumer while adding that his own belief is that “resolutions can come about if we can find more meeting-points”.
