Despite some threatened turbulence, it is on the cards that the turnout in the Nagaland polls today, March 5, will be high, though possibly not as much as the 85 per cent estimated in Tripura, another disturbed state. What this could imply is that, all said, the people would like to see a peaceful means of resolving issues. Equally, the more than decade-old ceasefire in Nagaland has seen many breaches but suggests an alternative to the gun. Marry the two and there is hope that things may be slowly changing in India’s troubled Northeast, though there could still be a long way to go.

The Naga uprising is, of course, the oldest and most stubborn conflict. Its present phase is manifest in Manipur, and to some extent in the Tirap division of Arunachal and in Karbi Anglong in Assam where there have been efforts to consolidate the influence of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). Nevertheless, the latest extension of the NSCN Isak-Muivah (I-M) ceasefire by another year is clear indication that the peace process has not been derailed. It will probably pick up momentum once the electoral dust settles. The more germane issue is the continuing inability of various Naga factions to achieve internal reconciliation.

Negotiations with the IM group have over the years led to recognition by the government of the Naga peoples’ ‘unique history’ as a basis for further discussion. Sovereignty is not now being strongly canvassed and talks have moved towards exploring whether these ‘unique’ features can find constitutional expression through a possible amendment of the Indian Constitution providing for large devolution, and incorporation of other features in a Naga Constitution that has an organic link with the Indian Constitution. The J&K Constitution is not the only precedent. A remodelled Sixth Schedule devised to accommodate Naga aspirations or the wider Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act 1996, point to other variants that can serve such a purpose without derogating from national unity and integrity. The issue of Nagalim or unification of all Naga inhabited areas need not constitute an insuperable obstacle if non-territorial solutions are sought.

... contd.