Indian government, key northeast rebel group sign peace deal

The signing was held at Modi’s official residence here at 7, Race Course Road.

In what could give a great boost to government’s efforts to curb militancy in North-East India, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) signed a peace deal with the Government of India on Friday.

Thangso Baite, the Congress Lok Sabha member from Outer Manipur, on Monday cautiously welcomed the peace accord between the government and the the NSCN-IM, saying it should not affect the neighbouring states.

Government’s Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, R.N. Ravi, signed the Agreement on behalf of the Government of India.

In his remarks, PM Modi said that the Naga political issue, which lingered on for six decades, took a huge toll on generations of Naga people.

Modi said that he deeply admires the people of Nagaland for their rich cultural heritage.

NSCN-IM leader T. Muivah, who signed the pact, described it as a momentous occasion. The NSCN (IM) also presented a jacket and shawl as gift to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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.

Muivah belongs to the Tangkhul Naga tribe that hails from Manipur’s Ukhrul district that is part of Baite’s constituency. It is also at the heart of my foreign policy, especially the “Act East Policy”. He also praised the Naga people for their support and the NSCN for maintaining the ceasefire for almost two decades that enabled the dialogue to succeed.

The Naga peace accord took many by surprise, with the prime minister making a dramatic tweet: “I will be making a special announcement at 6:30 PM from RCR”. “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”, read a government statement.

Modi said Naga courage and commitment were legendary and they represent the highest levels of humanism.

“Unfortunately, the Naga drawback has taken so lengthy to resolve, as a result of we didn’t perceive one another”.

The prime minister said connectivity between Nagaland and the rest of India had remained weak and “we have continued to look at each other through the prism of false perceptions and old prejudices”.