Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who led a delegation to Delhi has made some significant statements on the Naga crisis. If integration of contiguous Naga inhabited territory is not possible, there should at least be emotional integration. He said that the Indian Constitution permitted the redrawing of the state boundaries of Nagaland for the integration of the Nagas. But, there were hurdles. Emotional integration could be brought about by the creation of a body that united the Nagas irrespective of what state they belonged to. The whole community will then be under one flag. There is the Naga Ho Ho which is an apex tribal council representing various Naga tribes. Last month, a Naga Ho Ho delegation met various political leaders in New Delhi for a peaceful resolution of Naga insurgency. The Centre may consider institutionalizing the Naga Ho Ho.
The Centre has indicated that though the Constitution allowed redrawing of Nagaland boundaries, there were practical problems. Secession will by no means be allowed. The Centre can only give certain special rights for governance and development relief to preserve Naga identity and culture and confer autonomy as well as land rights. It is also considering the setting up of Naga autonomous councils in Arunachal and Assam on the lines of the Bodo Territorial Council and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. As the NSCN (IM) has given up the demand for greater Nagalim and agreed to abide by the Indian Constitution, talks should now proceed apace. It will be a welcome development for the embattled UPA government. Rio belongs to the NDA and his echoing the same views augurs well for the Naga people who are fed up with decades of violence.