The peace talk between the NSCN (IM) and Government of India is entering a very crucial phase. With 31st October set as the deadline to conclude the talks based on framework agreement signed between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) in 2015, hectic parleys are continuing at Delhi to find a lasting solution to the seven-decade-old insurgency problem in Nagaland. The Centre’s interlocutor and Governor RN Ravi are holding separate talks with the NSCN (IM) and a conglomerate of seven organizations. The dialogue with the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) is almost final, but it is the dialogue with the IM that has hit the roadblock.
The NSCN is still resisting the government’s pressure to give up their demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas. They see the flag and a separate constitution as major milestones in their decade-long armed struggle against the Government of India. With the recent revocation of Article 370, which gave separate flag and constitution to Jammu and Kashmir, the Government of India is not willing to relent to the demand. The centre has rejected the demand for separate flag and constitution but the NSCN (IM) is holding on. With both sides adamant in their respective stands there is every possibility that talks may fail in the last hurdle. This has potential to reignite the Naga insurgency and such situation will adversely affect the three states of Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore, every effort should be made to work out a solution which is acceptable to everyone. Both the NSCN (IM) and Government of India will have to be ready to make certain concessions to end the stalemate.