On the doorsteps of peace deal, Nagaland pushed to shaky grounds again

GUWAHATI: The ministry of home affairs on Tuesday declared the whole of Nagaland state to be a “disturbed area” for six more months and continued with the execution of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 for 62 years now despite an active peace negotiation with the armed groups.
The MHA notification states that the central government “is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of the State of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.”
Exactly a fortnight ago Nagaland governor RN Ravi invoked Article 371A(1) (b) of the Constitution and took control of the law and order subject of the state after writing a letter to chief minister Neiphiu Rio that the “scenario in the state is grim”, “the law and order has collapsed” and the “the constitutionally established state government is being challenged on day-to-day basis by the armed gangs who question the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, while the instruments of law and order remain totally unresponsive.”
Ravi did not name the armed gangs but subsequently all the Naga insurgent groups responded and admitted that they were only collecting taxes and contributions as these were “the legitimate rights of sovereign people” but denied committing any extortion.Ravi is also the centre’s interlocutor in peace talks with all these groups.
At a time when the state waits on the doorsteps of the peace solution, the recent developments are seen as potentially dangerous moves, which could push the state back into shaky grounds. The current peace talks started 23 years back with NSCN (IM) and resulted in a ‘Framework Agreement’ in 2015 before the other remaining seven groups joined the process.
Nagaland governor has summoned the state assembly on July 30 amid these developments while the powerful Naga Students’ Federation said that Ravi’s missive to Rio has only brought out to fore centre’s “arrogant attitude and insincere approach” to settle the Naga issue.
In a statement the NSF said, “The usage of the terminologies like ‘Gangsters’, ‘extortionists’ etc. by the GOI appointed Interlocutor only seeks to undo whatever has been achieved through the blood, sweat and tears of his predecessors.”
NSF demanded that Ravi tell the Naga people whom he has referred to as “gangsters” and “extortionists” in his letter to Rio.
“If it is such then, it is a matter of shame that the mighty India has appointed retired top-cop to sit down on the same negotiating table with Gangsters and Extortionists,” the statement read.