The term of the Nagaland Assembly ends on March 26, 2012. A high level delegation led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has set a deadline for the Centre to end the 60 year old struggle. Union Home Minister S.K Shinde has been requested to expedite talks with the NSCN (IM). Under Article 371 A of the Indian Constitution, no Act of Parliament applies to Nagaland in respect of religious or social problems of the Nagas, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law and ownership and transfer of land and resources. The decisions are to be made by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The NSCN (IM) is in a series of talks with the Centre and has so far demanded that the state is not under the Indian Constitution. This had scuttled talks so far. A ray of hope can be seen. The NSCN (IM) has reportedly agreed to owe allegiance to the Indian Constitution. It has also given up the demand for the creation of a greater Nagaland including territories in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur. The Centre has been urged to hold talks with the governments of the three states to work out a special set of rights for the Nagas in those states. It is a written commitment.
Evidently, Naga rebels have got tired of placing impossible demands in their series of talks. But it is not yet certain that an accord can be arrived at before the Assembly polls and that the NSCN (IM) will participate in the elections. Obviously, the Chief Minister Rio is not yet convinced about the NSCN (IM)’s sincerity. There are also other rebel outfits in Nagaland- particularly the NSCN (Khaplang). Whether or not they will acquiesce in the NSCN (IM)’s peace offer remains to be seen.
