Nagaland has been harassed by 37 years of conflict between the state and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM). It has been followed by 20 years of on and off negotiations between the Centre and the NSCN-IM facing hurdles over two issues, demand for Greater Nagaland (Nagalim) which means addition of some territories from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to Nagaland along with a demand for sovereignty; going to the extent of having a separate Constitution. The NSCN-IM under Isak Swu and Th Muivah has finally settled for ‘co-existence together with shared sovereignty’. It is a new experiment that federal India with strong unitary features will embark on when such a peace agreement is signed. The NSCN-IM spokesperson has said that the political talks are progressing smoothly. The framework agreement will ensure peaceful coexistence between the Nagas and the Centre with shared sovereignty which will bring in peace and a bright future for the Naga tribes. In August 2015, a framework agreement was signed between the NSCN-IM and the Centre in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The exact meaning of shared sovereignty has not been spelt out yet. Does it mean that Nagas will get a separate Constitution, flag, parliament and judiciary? The Centre has of course long recognized the unique identity of the Naga people.
The other sticking point is the Naga demand for Nagalim. It means Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will have to cede part of their territory to Nagaland. It has created great opposition in all these states though they are now all under the NDA. The meeting between the Nagaland and Manipur CMs seem to show the emergence of a new relationship. They have stressed the need for peace as the key to development. Will it bring about rapprochement between the two states on the Nagalim issue?