Overture:
To a lay “Naga Conscience” like this writer, the significance of the inked 3rd Aug, 2015 ‘Framework Agreement’ epitomizes the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 passed on 25th October, 1971 recognizing the People’s Republic of China (PRC), who took the China seat in UN and expelled the Republic of China (ROC). Although Chiang Kai-shek was defeated by Mao Zedong in 1949 with the formation of Chinese Communist Party’s People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the former fled to Taiwan where he established the government of the Republic of China (ROC). It was only on 20th March, 1972 after gaining the UN seat, when Beijing addressed the UN Special Committee on Colonialism for the retrocession of Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong was handed over in (1842 till) 1997 from UK and Macau from Portugal during (1573 till) 1999. The pragmatic approach for transition of Hong Kong and Macau and reintegration with the mainland China was on “One country two systems” formula generally known as ‘shared sovereignty’ or Special Administrative Region (SAR) status. Taiwan has lost its standing in the international arena and no major government recognizes the ROC. As China gets richer, the actualization of the Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan is inevitably a known fact.
Similarly, it was only after Nagaland became a member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) in the Third General Assembly, Hague, Netherlands during January 19-24, 1993 represented by Chairman Mr. Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Mr. Th Muivah of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland when the Government of India signed the Ceasefire Agreement in 1997. Thus, re-opening a new chapter beyond the closed books of i) The Nine Point Agreement (The Hydari Agreement) of June, 1947 between the NNC and the Governor of Assam ii) The Sixteen Point Agreement of July, 1960 between the Naga Peoples Convention and Government of India and iii) The Shillong Accord of November, 1975 between Government of India and representatives of the Naga Federal Government.Paradigms for Self-Determination:
It is an irony that the Naga People had to assert its right for self-determination from an entity “India”, born out of 562 princely states that were equally placed besides the Nagas against the British Government till 1947. If the Naga National Council (NNC) had conceded to the offer of the British Crown Colony in 1946, Nagaland; comprising Naga Hills, adjacent Tracts in Burma, the Chittagong Hill Tracts of East Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh might have been the closest of republic, an ally of India as members of the common wealth nations. However, in hindsight the stand of the NNC and choice of the Naga People rejecting the Crown Colony emerges to be the noblest of commissions. In view of the circumstances over China’s claim of Arunachal Pradesh as part of the Tibetan territory while historically Nagas had never been a part of China or India. Thus practically circumventing another Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan and next to letting the gluttonous China gobble up the British Crown Colony of Nagaland into the bargain. The outcome of which is in favor for India as well. On the other hand, the present talk for self-determination needs to ensure the retrocession of Naga territories in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur for Naga integration by GOI.
The Naga people has the political will and the ability to govern itself as has been proven from time immemorial with each village permanently established as Greek City states. The modern form of democratic governance began with the first elections in January of 1964; the present opposition less government of Nagaland under the Chief Minister Mr. T. R. Zeliang embodies the Naga political consciousness. Nevertheless, the recent trend of suspension without recourse, against the defiant directly elected leaders of the people by the political party, ruses to adversely affect its dynamism.
Despite the tall claims of political consciousness of the Nagas, the economic status of the Nagas in today’s market driven economy looks grim and appalling. It is a known fact that the absence of investments by any business houses foreign or domestic in Nagaland or any other Naga areas is due to the basic structure of law governing the land and its people, coupled with the protracted Naga political problem. The new political dispensation is imperative to eke out an effective structure of law e.g. contract law, rules of trade, labor laws, property rights, land laws etc., while safeguarding the traditional/ customary rights/ law of the Naga people.
The public anxiety is unveiling almost at shrill levels over the impending uncertainty of change about whether, how and when the new constitutional restructuring will actually take place. All the past political agreements and transitions were mostly unanticipated, random and ill-gotten unlike the present political dialogue. However, even the present framework agreement provides the impression that the Government of India may constraint itself from granting a high degree of autonomy.
Against this backdrop, the much fanfare and dogged invocation of the 1951 Plebiscite by several NPGs in the glaring spotlight of the local press occurs to be rushing into the foul wind. The historical significance of the 1951 Plebiscite stands irrefutable; yet harping on the past cannot fetch the future. When the hesitant Government of India comes to a sticky end even to execute the past signed accords/agreements of 1947, 1960 and 1975 in letter and spirit, how can one expect India to honor the Naga Plebiscite of 1951 held without prior sanction of the UN or India. The UN recognizes the 3(three) processes of decolonization by conducting a plebiscite: i) Statehood ii) Independence and iii) Free Association.
In the face of the 1951 Naga plebiscite for independence, the Statehood of Nagaland on 1st Dec, 1963 as the 16th State of India was illegitimately clinched past the Sixteen Point Agreement of 26th July, 1960 signed by the elite representatives of the Naga People’s Convention and the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru without the endorsement of the Naga Undergrounds or Naga populace. Categorically, the NPGs should reunite, coordinate and bargain with India and the UN to conduct a fresh plebiscite for independence encompassing the entire Naga population across the borders. If the NPGs fail to evolve with the need of the changing time, the existence of NPGs/Factions will become irrelevant.
Reconciling Threats and Opportunities:
Pragmatically, deals are struck and rules are created to serve the interests of the political elite and the officials of the regime who have the bargaining power. The new emerging order will be settled to better suit their interests and ideologies. However, the political forces of change cannot be completely controlled and shielded from the unexpected consequences. Hence, the challenge to analyze the conditions whether threats or opportunity will dominate over the change of guard and during the interim period.
To address this matter, it is the bounden duty of the collective leadership of the NSCN to bare it all to the Naga populace who ultimately defines and enforces the traditional/ customary rights/ laws. In anticipation of the final Agreement, levelheadedly, piece by piece approach may be opted to thrash out on those finalized clauses which entail public scrutiny. The emotional ups and downs (threats & opportunities) of the Naga populace as well as those of the regime can be reconciled by making the uncertainty of the political transformation potentially calculable.
The transition period will most expectedly disrupt the social order temporarily with the impact of the new regulations. It may induce anxiety to the established manpower of the incumbent government, business community and the prospective financiers. The general public may become more conservative driven to adapt with the uncertain changing environment. For this reason, prior public awareness of the new order to be put in place for implementation and enforcement will patch up the cynicism to consistency. On those perspectives of polity, ideology, land and natural resources and the mechanisms that imply strong directional change.
The vitality of the capitalist system of free market economy cannot be undermined for business interests, anticipating investments in new business activity. To cultivate the good will of both domestic and international business houses and for entrepreneurs and financiers alike. Making opportunities transparent and calculable down from the entry process to the operating concerns till the exit route or winding up schemes for a company, to provide stability. The post agreement phase, need to begin an upward trajectory for companies, firms and financiers coming from mainland India and abroad e.g. “Tax Haven Country” like British Virgin Islands, Panama etc., or evolve to become the next “Tax Haven” destination. Hence, the need to expedite the infrastructure development of the Naga territories, like all weathered roads, rails, air connectivity, 24x7 power, lead-in financial institutes & financial markets, human resource development et al.
Despite the irony of Indians being on the equal footing with the Naga’s before 1947 as a nation, there is no denying the fact that Indians were far ahead in most areas of modern life. The vibrant economic strides with the advancement in science and technology drove India’s economy on the verge of surpassing the giant economy of China. The progressive India, with its geographic and demographic size has clinched its place as a potential World Power. The road to economic prosperity for the Nagas necessitates itself to emerge as leverage for the Indian economy to explore the South East Asian markets. Time is ripe for Nagas to act for our own favor before the wind changes its direction. Moreover, India has the option to take the cheapest sea-route to reach any market destination across the globe.
Conclusion:
It is indeed easy for many “Naga conscience” including this writer to seat back in the comforts of the home and articulate lofty musings. Nevertheless, each “Naga conscience” is matter-of-factly declaring the vibrations inside the microcosm. Some may agree, agree to disagree or disagree to agree but the significance of the 3rd Aug, 2015 ‘Framework Agreement’ is historic due to the fact that the Government of India for the first time, at the Prime Ministerial level is directly negotiating with the Undergrounds unlike the past randomly imposed editions.
Whatever the bounty obtained through the present negotiation, the present Naga generation will all savor in it and the future Naga generations will judge. The political elites and officials of the NSCN regime deserves the respect and support due to them as rightly poised by the 60 Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Naga Hoho and various NGOs. The regressive mentalities of several Naga populate to dwell in the past needs to be overpowered by a progressive mind. It is a scientific truth that every organism evolves into refinement with the exceptions of the degeneration effects on mutation. Personally, from an angry, rebellious and anti-establishment temperament throughout the teenage and early adulthood years, the gradual change into a conscientious adulthood had been the result of chance and choice. It is observable that the GOI and the NSCN(IM) as well had evolved progressively and touched a higher level of maturity.
Hopefully, let me conclude in the words of His Highness the Prince of Liechtenstein that “self-determination would begin in a step-by-step manner, starting with the exercise of limited cultural autonomy, progressing gradually to a degree of political autonomy and, where desired, eventually ending in independence”. Kuknalim!
