Nagas may get Legislative Council, more MPs but no Flag, Constitution

New Delhi: The Naga peace talks have been put on the fast track and is headed for the signing of a possible historical and final accord by month (September) end.

The competencies being finalised between the central government and Naga groups seek to ensure setting up of a Legislative Council with 44-46 members.

On the similar vein, there are moves to increase the numbers of members in Lower House of Parliament, Lok Sabha to two and the numbers may be increased to two-three for Rajya Sabha, the Council of States.

There is also need to take steps to ‘open windows for new opportunities’ in Nagaland and other parts of the northeast to garner greater corporate investment; sources said adding in this context substantial talks have been held on the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act and certain provisions of Article 371 (A).

This has become all the more important to achieve ‘expected results’ vis-a-vis economic development and success of the government’s Act East Policy and India’s growing ties with South-East Asian countries and members of ASEAN. The support of the corporate sector has become imperative, but steps also need to be taken to facilitate higher investments. At present, like Mizoram, Nagaland has only one member each for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Other states in the region like Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have two members in Lok Sabha.

There are also proposals to bring in some changes in Article 371 (A) – that already gives some special privileges to the state of Nagaland. “But as assured by Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha in August 2019, there will be no dilution”, the source said. Amit Shah also met some key players from the state including officials in his residence earlier this week.

The Governor’s office will be empowered to take into account the advice of the proposed ‘Naga Territorial Council’ aimed at catering the needs of ‘Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur’ on listed matters. The Council will also have separate budgetary provisions.

The Council may have autonomous powers, and there would not be any bifurcation of any state. The states of Manipur and Assam are being taken on board, sources say.

From the point of views of the Government of India officials, it has been suggested that there ought to be detailed discussions on provisions of the Article 371 (A) which says no act of Parliament shall apply to the State of Nagaland in respect of the religious or social practices of the Nagas and the customary laws and procedure.

“Some of these discussions may take place in terms of details even after the formal signing of the final accord,” those in the know of things said.

However, there is perhaps need to take more ‘pragmatic’ step to augment private investments in Nagaland and also other parts of the northeast.

Minute studies reveal that the ‘naughty boy’ in the room is the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act 1873, which also relates to regulations for the Inner Liner Permit (ILP).

Under ILP provisions, ‘outsiders’ to Nagaland and few other states cannot enter beyond the demarcated line without a license paper strictly for a week or a shorter period of time.

However, the Naga leadership has reportedly cautioned government interlocutors that no dilution in ILP norms could be allowed and there is a “huge emotive sentiment” attached to the BEFR Act and Inner Line Permits in the region.

Like other northeastern states, Bangladeshi immigrants have allegedly ‘found the place’ to stay and thrive in some parts of Nagaland also. The discussions on BEFR were initiated earlier during the tenure of Dr Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister when former Nagaland Chief Secretary R S Pandey was the interlocutor.

The student organisations and others have always suggested that the ILP norms should be implemented strictly. However, it ought to be appreciated that as a constitutional tool, the ILP or for that matter BEFR Act has failed to check the ‘influx’ of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Like other northeastern states, the Bangladeshi immigrants have allegedly ‘found the place’ to stay and thrive in some parts of Nagaland also. But some approaches towards entire issues have only discouraged corporate investment.

The NSCN (IM), which had raised the issues of Flag and Constitution, also recently said – “While appreciating the genuine concern of the Naga people to know the details of the competencies, we are constraint to inform you that some of the competencies are still under hectic negotiation as you all are aware of. Any agreement signed under the Indian constitution can be openly published as others do”.

NNPG, the umbrella organisation of seven groups operating in Nagaland, also had met Governor R N Ravi recently to final touches to their parleys.

However, certain differences between stakeholders are forcing the government to make the tightrope walking to keep the right balance.

“There is a perpetual tendency within NSCN (IM) leadership to brand Naga leaders, tribes, organisations, other civil societies as anti-Nagas and traitors for not towing their political ideology. This is a mockery of Nagaland for Christ. The statements contradict frequent fasting programs and prayer requests seeking cooperation from Nagas. God-fearing leaders should not insist their words and actions are final in the Naga context”, the Naga Gaon Bura Federation, NGBF, an influential body of ‘village elders’ has said criticising NSCN (IM), which essentially draws strength from its cadres among Tangkhul Nagasin Manipur.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Naga MLAs and Lok Sabha MP, Dr Lorho S Pfoze representing Outer Manipur and belonging to NPF met former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and reportedly sought his help so that the talks do not enter into ‘rough weather’.

Two influential student bodies, All Sumi Students’ Union and Ao Students’ Conference have in a joint press statement appealed for reconciliation among various groups and also urged the Government of India to keep the delimitation process in Nagaland on hold.