[As the old adage goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. So, while cautiously welcoming the pact, we'll have to wait and watch.]
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-govt-signs-landmark-peace-treaty-with-naga-rebels/article1-1376029.aspx 'New future' as Modi govt signs peace treaty with Naga rebels HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, New Delhi| Updated: Aug 03, 2015 20:00 IST PM Narendra Modi with leaders of NSCN (IM) at the signing of peace accord at 7,RCR on Monday. (Photo credit: You Tube screen grab) The NDA government and the NSCN-IM on Monday signed a peace accord aimed at ending India’s longest running insurgency, capping protracted peace talks that began in 1997. The accord was signed by Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-IM and one of key leaders who had spearheaded the rebel movement in Nagaland, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "This is not merely end of a problem, but the beginning of a new future," Modi said at the event, adding that the landmark accord signalled the end of six decades of insurgency. "What happened today is shining example of what we can achieve if we uphold equality and respect and trust," he said The Prime Minister said the Naga problem took so long to resolve because both sides did not understand each other. "Peace, security and economic transformation of North east has been one of my highest priorities," Modi said while enumerating the steps taken by his government to ensure the peace agreement. The insurgency in Nagaland began within years of India’s independence from Britain in 1947, with tribal leaders from the region that was part of the undivided Assam saying the area was never part of India. It is regarded the world’s longest running insurgency. "Under Modi we have come close to understanding each other and have worked out a new relation" with the government, said Muivah. NSCN-IM chief Isak Swu could not attend as he was unwell and admitted to a hospital in Delhi. The NSCN-IM began peace talks with the central government in 1997 after agreeing to a ceasefire. The talks ran into problems over the NSCN-IM’s demands for a separate flag and Greater Nagaland that envisages bringing all Naga-inhabited areas under one administrative umbrella. Last week, representatives of Naga civil society unanimously endorsed a five-point resolution passed by the Nagaland legislative assembly on July 27, including “integration of all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas”. Other resolutions included resumption of ceasefire between New Delhi and NSCN-Khaplang, which walked out of the peace process (inked in April 2001) on March 27 this year; and withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act of 1958 from Nagaland. But Nagaland’s neighbours in the northeast -- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur -- are wary of “integrating Naga-inhabited areas”. These states view Greater Nagaland as a threat to their territorial integrity. They have witnessed violent protests, particularly in Manipur where a mob set the state assembly ablaze in 2001. Read Demand for Greater Nagaland back under the ambit of peace process -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
