Nine years after the signing of the 2015 Framework Agreement between the Indian government and the NSCN, the insurgent group accuses India of “betraying” the accord’s promises. The NSCN has warned of resuming violent armed resistance unless third-party mediation is accepted, amid growing unrest in Nagaland.
By Navin Upadhyay
On August 3, 2015, at around 6 p.m., television screens across India flashed with breaking news, accompanied by the usual frenzy. It was the signing of what was heralded as a ‘historic’ agreement between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.
Representing the Indian government was R. N. Ravi, the government’s Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, while the NSCN delegation was led by Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th. Muivah. The accord was hailed as a monumental step towards resolving India’s longest-running insurgency. Yet, despite the fanfare, the government remained conspicuously tight-lipped about the details of the agreement, withholding key information from both the press and the public.
Nine years on, the much-celebrated agreement remains nothing more than a piece of paper. The NSCN has now threatened to resume its insurgency, citing unfulfilled promises outlined in the accord. The lack of clarity surrounding the details, combined with the absence of formalization, has given rise to a climate of suspicion. With the region already volatile, any further unrest in Nagaland risks plunging the entire Northeast back into violence.
On November 9, 2024, the NSCN(IM), nine years after the signing of the Framework Agreement, issued a stern warning. They threatened to resume “violent armed resistance” over claims that the Indian government had “betrayed” the 2015 accord. The insurgent group demanded third-party intervention to mediate what they described as India’s betrayal. If their demand for third-party involvement is ignored, the NSCN(IM) vowed to renew its armed struggle to defend Nagalim’s unique history and its sovereign existence. The identity of this “third-party” remains unspecified, although there is widespread speculation it refers to foreign mediation, albeit unconfirmed.
Muivah, in his statement, accused India of failing to honor the agreement, particularly on the recognition of the “Nagalim national flag” and the “Nagalim constitution,” as stipulated in the 2015 framework. “Nagalim and the NSCN gave India the finest opportunity to resolve the Indo-Naga conflict based on the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015,” Muivah declared. He further alleged that India had “deliberately betrayed” the essence of the agreement by refusing to acknowledge the Nagalim flag and constitution.
Muivah emphasized that Nagalim and the NSCN would not wait indefinitely for the Government of India to fulfill its commitments. “To conclude an honorable political settlement, we rule out peaceful means against the ignominious betrayal of the Framework Agreement,” he said. Despite this, he suggested third-party mediation as a possible solution, but underscored that failure to resolve the issue in this manner would lead to a return to violent armed resistance. “We will defend Nagalim’s unique history and its sovereign existence,” Muivah proclaimed.
The NSCN’s statement followed recent talks in Delhi between the group’s representatives and the central government’s interlocutor, AK Mishra. Notably, Muivah did not attend these discussions. These developments come amid parallel negotiations between the Centre and the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), an alliance of seven Naga factions distinct from the NSCN-IM.
In late October, the NSCN reached out to the NNPGs in a bid to reconcile their differences and devise a unified roadmap for a future agreement with the Indian government. The NSCN-IM and the NNPGs, long-standing rivals, had previously shown irreconcilable differences on the terms of the Naga peace accord. However, they met in Kolkata on October 17-18 to “find common ground” on how to move forward with the peace process.
Following the Kolkata talks, the NNPGs urged the government to finalize the Naga peace deal by the end of 2024, referencing their 2017 “Agreed Position” with the Centre as the foundation for the agreement.
Meanwhile, tripartite talks between the United Naga Council (UNC), the Government of Manipur, and the Government of India are set for November 13 in Senapati, sixty kilometers north of Imphal. These discussions resumed last month after a five-year hiatus.
The talks held in Delhi on October 11 focused on a critical issue: the UNC’s demand for the rollback of the creation of seven new districts by the Government of Manipur in December 2016. This move, which has sparked significant tension, remains a contentious point, and the UNC continues to press for its reversal.
Representing the government at the Delhi meeting were AK Mishra, the Ministry of Home Affairs’ advisor for the Northeast, Vineet Joshi, Chief Secretary of Manipur, N Ashok Kumar, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home), and seven UNC representatives. Since the tripartite talks began in 2017, there have been 11 rounds of discussions, but tangible progress has remained elusive.
Following the resumption of talks in October, the UNC announced a temporary suspension of its planned 48-hour bandh in Naga areas, set for October 3, 2024, in a show of goodwill. This suspension came after the resumption of the tripartite talks, offering a brief respite from the tensions.
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The latest phase of talks follows the UNC’s ultimatum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in September, demanding the reversal of the Manipur government’s decision to create seven new districts: Jiribam, Kamjong, Kakching, Tengnoupal, Noney, Pherzawl, and Kangpokpi. Prior to this, the state had just nine districts: four in the valley (Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, and Bishnupur) and five in the hills (Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati, Tamenglong, and Ukhrul).
The outcome of the upcoming talks will be crucial in determining the future of Manipur’s administrative boundaries and whether peace can be maintained in the region, or if tensions will again flare into unrest.
Here is the press release issued on November 3, 2015, which still exists on the PMO website:
The Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) successfully concluded the dialogue on Naga political issue, which has existed for six decades, and signed an agreement today in the presence of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Government’s Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, Shri R. N. Ravi, signed the Agreement on behalf of the Government of India. Shri Isak Chishi Swu, Chairman and Shri Th. Muivah, General Secretary were the signatories on behalf of the NSCN. The entire top leadership of the NSCN (IM), including all members of the “collective leadership”, has fully endorsed the agreement and was present during the ceremony.
This agreement will end the oldest insurgency in the country. 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.
Attempts were made from time to time to resolve the issue through discussion with representatives of the Naga people. A fresh attempt for a comprehensive resolution was initiated with the NSCN in 1997.
The new Government on assuming power in May 2014 accorded highest priority to this lingering problem. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has on a number of occasions, including during visits to the Northeast region, articulated his vision for transforming the Northeast and has attached the highest priority to peace, security, connectivity and economic development in the region. This has also been at the heart of the Government’s foreign policy, especially ‘Act East’ Policy.
The sustained dialogue between the two sides, conducted in a spirit of equality, respect and trust, deepened their mutual understanding and confidence, and enabled the two sides to reach an equitable agreement. The Government of India recognized the unique history, culture and position of the Nagas and their sentiments and aspirations. The NSCN understood and appreciated the Indian political system and governance.
The Government interlocutor also held frequent consultations with broad spectrum of Naga leaders, including those from the traditional tribal bodies, civil society, youth and students’ bodies, women’s groups, elected representatives and other stakeholders. These consultations helped in distilling the popular aspirations of the Naga people and in enhancing a healthy atmosphere of trust and understanding.
In his statement at the signing ceremony, the Hon’ble Prime Minister lauded the courage and wisdom of the Naga leaders and civil society and thanked them for their co-operation in reaching the agreement. He also praised the Naga people for their support and the NSCN for maintaining the ceasefire for nearly two decades that enabled the dialogue to succeed. Prime Minister spoke of his vision for the transformation of the Northeast region. He also expressed confidence that the agreement will open a glorious new chapter for the Naga people to build a bright future for Nagaland and also contribute to the nation with a sense of pride and confidence.
Shri Th. Muivah, General Secretary, NSCN, narrated the history of Nagas’ struggle and thanked the Hon’ble Prime Minister for his vision and resolve, which made it possible for the Government of India and the NSCN to reach an honourable settlement.
Within this framework agreement, details and execution plan will be released shortly.
Hon’ble Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser, Shri Ajit Doval and other high dignitaries of the Government of India were present.
The NSCN was represented by its entire collective leadership and senior leaders of various Naga tribes.
