The Manipur government's plan to carve out seven new districts in the hill areas has ignited old resentments between Naga and non-Naga ethnic groups, leading to clashes and a month-long economic blockade.
The infighting in Naga rebel group, National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Khaplang has led to its Myanmar-based chairman S S Khaplang expelling Khole Konyak from the post of commander-in-chief of the self-styled 'Naga Army' with immediate effect.
The Union home ministry has ordered stepping up the security of Thuingaleng Muivah, secretary general of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim, following death threats from his rival group NSCN (Khaplang).
Speaking at Camp Hebron, the NSCN-IM's central headquarters, Swu said New Delhi's recognition of the 'unique history and situation' of the Naga people had not been translated into reality.
To expect that these past decades of grief, inter-group killings, anxiety and fear will be brushed aside because of the Naga peace accord is being unrealistic. Memories are built on old wounds and they heal slowly. So, it is important to be cautiously optimistic, says Sanjoy Hazarika.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah is aiming to carry forward the ongoing Naga peace process.
The United Naga Council on Monday lifted its 100-day economic blockade on the Manipur side of two national highways without any condition but with a caveat that agitation would be re-launched if the government did not make an 'alternative arrangement' for Nagas in the state.
With an aim of ending insurgency in Nagaland, the government on Monday signed an accord with key outfit Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland- Isaac-Muivah which Prime Minister Narendra Modi described as a "historic" step to usher in peace in the state.
With an aim to boost the ongoing Naga peace process, a central team including three Union ministers began a crucial round of negotiations with Nationalist Social Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) leaders at the Hague on Thursday.
The two sides agreed to meet again later in March, possibly in the last week of the month.
Rediff.com's Surajit Talukdar got in touch with author Frans Welman, secretary of the Amsterdam-based Naga International Support Centre, who is considered to be close to the leadership of the NSCN (I-M). Here are excerpts from the exclusive e-mail interview.
'In a complex situation a PM coming was not necessary'
The locals of Khonoma, the village of legendary Naga leader Angami Zapo Phizo, hope the Naga peace accord satisfies the aspirations of the Naga people.
Naga Accord is still nowhere to be found, sasy Rahul
Both sides agreed to strengthen the monitoring mechanism to ensure that the ground situation remains conducive for continuance of ceasefire.
Naga rebel leader Thuingaleng Muivah, who signed the pact with the Indian government, says the framework agreement will lead to a new relationship
The delegates made a declaration and handed over a copy of it to NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and its general secretary Th Muivah.
The next round of formal peace talks between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and the centre's interlocutor Mr R S Pandey is expected to take place on Wednesday amidst reports that both sides have been able to iron out many ticklish issues which were pending for last several years.
Forty MLAs from violence-hit Manipur have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the state requires complete disarmament to foster an environment of peace and security.
'The issue of the larger homeland of Nagalim, the dream of the Nagas to hold sway over swathes of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, is just that, a dream.' 'The NSCN has been told categorically that the government is not going to concede on this issue.'
The two factions of the Naga rebel group Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland -- NSCN-Isak Muivah and NSCN-Khaplang -- which have been in truce with government of India forces, have become a headache for the Assam government in its fight against insurgents.
The ongoing vicious game between Delhi and the so-called 'separatist' militias has severely blighted the Nagas' life and gutted their dignity, says Ravindra Narayan Ravi
'In the first meeting of this new year, we took a joint new year resolution that we will complete it this year. At the time things were not very clear, but the mood was clear that yes, we must resolve it.' 'Yes, details have to come out, but there are some sensitivities, there are some stake-holders not yet on board, especially other Naga undergrounds etc, we would like them to come on board... So at a proper time it has to be revealed to the country, and to the legislature. Perhaps, we may have to wait for some more time.' 'With better understanding of the Indian system, many of them have learnt, realised, appreciated that Naga nationalist aspirations can be accommodated in the Indian system. The Indian system is pretty comprehensive and flexible.' 'A Naga has as much stake, claim over India as any other Indian. There is no distinction. This, Nagas have realised, that yes, Naga nationalist aspirations and Indian nationalism are not mutually exclusive.' Ravindra Narayan Ravi, the Government of India's Special Interlocutor for the Naga talks, explains how the Naga Peace Accord was reached in an exclusive interview to Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com
The Centre is likely to rush additional paramilitary forces to trouble-torn areas along the Assam-Nagaland border to maintain peace and prevent the clashes between Naga and Karbi tribals from spreading.
The blockade was imposed by the UNC since November 1, 2016.
According to a statement by the Eastern Command, a column of the Indian Army operating along Indo-Myanmar border was fired upon by unidentified insurgents of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang about 4.45 am.
They were last here about a year ago.
Appealing to the United Naga Council to call off its 74-day economic blockade on two national highways in Manipur, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday said all issues could be sorted out through dialogue.
Sources within the NSCN, indicated that the incorporation of the four Naga-inhabited districts of Manipur, two districts of Arunachal Pradesh and some parts of Assam is the main issue which is causing delay in finding out an acceptable solution to the Naga problem. Once this issue is settled, other issues can be solved within a very short period.
Ban is the bane of life in the frontier state of Manipur that is plagued by myriad troubles ranging from insurgency, ethnicity to underdevelopment.
Only one petrol pump has stock but it will supply petrol and diesel only to school buses and school vans, official sources said.
A Manipur Police commando and two police constables were killed while nine others were injured when militants ambushed road-opening parties at two different places in Chandel district of Manipur on Thursday.
At least 14 Naga rebels were killed in a fierce gun battle between two factions of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim at the outskirts of Dimapur town in Nagaland at 10 am on Friday.
Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Issac-Munivah wanted to join the operations against NSCN-K militants.
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