Naga Ceasefire Agreements Extended | 21 Apr 2022

Why in News?

Recently, the centre has extended the ceasefire agreements between the Central government and three Naga groups by a year which was signed on 19th April 2022.

What are the Naga Ceasefire Agreements?

• The Naga groups include National Socialist Council of Nagaland-NK (NSCN-NK), National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Reformation (NSCN-R) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-K-Khango (NSCN-K-Khango).
  • All these groups are breakaway factions of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K).
• This agreement is a significant boost to the Naga peace process and in line with Prime Minister of India's vision of 'insurgency free, prosperous North East'.
• In September 2021, the Centre had entered into a one-year ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki Group.
• The Centre had earlier signed a “Framework Agreement” with the NSCN (IM) in August 2015.

What is the Naga Peace Process?

• After India became independent in 1947, the Naga territory initially remained a part of Assam.
• In 1957, after an agreement was reached between Naga leaders and the Indian government, the Naga Hills region of Assam and the Tuensang frontier division to the northeast were brought together under a single unit directly administered by the Indian government.
• Nagaland achieved statehood in 1963, however, rebel activity continued.

What is the Vision of Insurgency Free, Prosperous North East?

• Recognises that the North East is very important for the country from the aspects of security.
• Thus, the aim is to end all disputes in the Northeast by 2022 and usher in a new era of peace and development in the Northeast in 2023.
• Under this, the Government is enriching the dignity, culture, language, literature and music of the Northeast.
• Over the years, the government has also signed several peace agreements with military outfits in northeast India. For example,
  • Karbi Anglong Agreement, 2021: It involved a tripartite agreement signed among five insurgent groups of Assam, the Centre and the state government of Assam.
  • Bru Accord, 2020: Under the Bru accord, the permanent settlement of 6959 Bru families in Tripura with a financial package has been agreed between the Government of India, Tripura and Mizoram with representatives of Bru migrants.
  • Bodo Peace Accord, 2020: In 2020, the Government of India, Government of Assam and representatives of Bodo groups signed an agreement, wherein more autonomy is provided to Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), in Assam.
  • Peace agreement with various military outfits which are involved in Naga Insurgency like NSCN(NK), NSCN(R), and NSCN(K)-Khango, NSCN(IM).

What is the Status of Conflicts in Northeast India?

• National Conflicts: Involving the concept of a distinct ‘homeland’ as a separate nation.
  • Nagaland: Naga insurgency originated from the demand of independence.
    • Although the demand for independence has majorly subsided, the lingering issue of a final political settlement including the demand for ‘greater Nagaland’ or ‘Nagalim’ remains.
• Ethnic Conflicts: Involving assertion of numerically smaller and less dominant tribal groups against the political and cultural hold of the dominant tribal group.
  • Tripura: The State’s demographic profile has been altered since 1947 when mass migrations from the newly emerged East Pakistan converted it from a largely tribal area to one with a majority of Bengali speaking people.
    • Tribals were deprived of their agricultural lands at throw-away prices and driven to the forests.
    • The resultant tensions caused major violence and widespread terror.
• Sub-regional Conflicts: Involving movements which ask for recognition of sub-regional aspirations and often come in direct conflict with the State Governments or even the autonomous Councils.
  • Mizoram: The State with its history of violent insurgency and its subsequent return to peace is an example to all other violence affected States.
    • Following an ‘Mizo Peace accord’ between the Union Government and the Mizo National Front in 1986 and conferment of statehood the next year, complete peace and harmony prevails in Mizoram.
  • Further, the boundary issue between Assam and Mizoram has existed since the formation of Mizoram.
• Other Reasons: Sponsored terrorism, conflicts generated as a result of continuous inflow of migrants from across the borders, criminal enterprise aimed at expanding and consolidating control over critical economic resources, have also result into clashes.
  • Assam: The major ethnic conflict in the State is the grievance against the perceived influx of ‘foreigners’ i.e. people with a language and culture substantially different from the Assamese from across the border (i.e. Bangladesh).
    • The recent tension in Assam emanates from the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 and National Register of Citizens debate.

What are the Different Modes of Conflict Resolution?

• Strengthening security forces/ ‘police action’.
• More local autonomy through mechanisms such as conferment of Statehood, the Sixth Schedule, Special Provisions under PART XXI of the Constitution.
• Negotiations with insurgent outfits.
• Development activities including special economic packages.

Source: TH