Naga Peace Accord

• The 2015 Framework Agreement between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) to finalise the Naga Peace Accord is now turning out to be the key stumbling block in reaching an agreement between the two sides and finding a permanent solution to the longstanding Naga issue.

Background:

• The British annexed Assam in 1826, and in 1881, the Naga Hills too became part of British India.
• The Naga National Council (NNC) was formed in April 1946 to carry out social and political upliftment of the Nagas.
• After the return of the radical leader of Naga , Angami Zapu Phizo, from Burma in 1947, the faction of NNC started demanding full impedance and grew strong.

Shillong Accord and the split of NNC:

• It was signed in 1975 by the Government of India with a section of the NNC leaders.
• The leaders agreed to abjure violence and work towards the solution of the Naga problem within the framework of the Indian Constitution.

Demand for Greater Nagaland:

• The Nagas under NSCN (I-M) had different views for a new Nagaland.
• One was an independent nation of Nagaland comprising the present Nagaland, the Naga inhabited areas of Manipur and Myanmar.
• Another one was to integrate the Naga inhabited districts of Manipur with the state of Nagaland under the Indian Constitution

Naga Peace accord 2015:

• Nagaland peace accord is the accord signed in August 2015 by the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) to end the insurgency
• The framework agreement is based on the ""unique"" history of Nagas and recognising the universal principle that in a democracy sovereignty lies with the people.
• National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) has given up its demand for ‘Greater Nagaland’ and vowed allegiance to the constitution of India.
• The details of the accord are yet to come in public domain.
• It has been made clear by the Government of India that existing boundaries of states will not be altered.

Significance of the Accord:

• It will restore peace and pave the way for prosperity in the North East.
• It will advance a life of dignity, opportunity and equity for the Naga people, based on their genius and consistent with the uniqueness of the Naga people and their culture and traditions.

Reasons for Stalemate in the Peace Process:

• The unclear language of the Framework Agreement
• the Centre's aggressive stand on issues of separate constitution and flag for any region in the country after August 5, 2019 decisions on J&K