Govt seals historic peace accord with NSCN(I-M)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as a “historic” step to usher in peace in the state. The pact was signed in presence of the Prime Minister, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval by the outfit’s leader T Muivah and government’s interlocutor RN Ravi at the PM’s residence here. The signing of the pact is the culmination of over 80 rounds of negotiations that spanned 16 years with <g data-gr-id="33">first</g> breakthrough in 1997 when <g data-gr-id="34">ceasefire</g> agreement was sealed.

While the NSCN(I-M) is the biggest Naga rebel group which has been maintaining the ceasefire, another faction led by SS Khaplang continues to indulge in violence and was believed to be behind the deadly attack on Army in Manipur in June that left 18 soldiers dead and 18 injured.

It was not yet clear whether the agreement meets the main demand of NSCN(I-M) for integration of all Naga-inhabited areas in the North East across Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Details and execution plan within this framework agreement will be released shortly, official sources said after the accord in which Doval played the central role. Modi said, “Today, we mark not merely the end of a problem, but the beginning of a new future.”

He added, “We will not only try to heal wounds and resolve <g data-gr-id="39">problems,</g> but also be your partner as you restore your pride and prestige.” Muivah said the government and Nagas were entering a “new relationship” but added that “beginning from now, challenges will be great.”

Before the agreement was signed, Modi spoke to leaders of various parties including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, BSP’s Mayawati, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

He also spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Tamil Nadu counterpart J Jayalalithaa besides the Nagaland Governor Padmanabha Acharya and Chief Minister TR Zeliang. He also called up DMK leader M Karunanidhi and JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda.

“Today’s agreement is a shining example of what we can achieve when we deal with each other in a spirit of equality and respect, trust and confidence; when we seek to understand concerns and try to address aspirations; when we leave the path of dispute and take the high road of dialogue,” Modi said.