In a recent report titled, “India plans peace steps in strife-torn northeast” by Nirendra Dev for Union of Catholic Asian (UCA) News, an official disclosed that the government of India is “keen to work on a peace pact with multiple Naga insurgent groups.”
This development comes at a time when on May 23, Ang Mai-led NSCN (K) has expressed its willingness to engage in formal peace dialogues with both India and Myanmar, albeit with several notable caveats. The group emphasized that their decision was not borne out of weakness, but rather a sincere desire for peace, prosperity, and development for the Naga people.
However, on the other hand, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has alleged that NSCN-IM has been providing support to Meitei militants in the ongoing Kuki-Meitei conflict. This has sparked counter-allegations from NSCN-IM, accusing Indian intelligence of waging a proxy war against the Naga group with the help of Myanmar-based Kuki militants.
According to the UCANews report, the Indian government has formulated a comprehensive plan to bring peace to the volatile northeastern region, particularly focusing on the nation’s only three Christian-majority states – Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya following the conclusion of national elections early next month. Home Minister Amit Shah, on May 26, also emphasized the government’s commitment to bridging the trust deficit between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur, aiming for lasting peace after the Lok Sabha elections.
An official from India’s internal security ministry was quoted in Dev’s article saying, “Peace in the northeastern states, including Manipur, and the resolution of various conflicts is a top priority.” However, the official noted that progress has been hindered by the ongoing election process.
It may be noted that the polls in the northeastern states have already been completed. However, the last phase of the seven-phase polls is slated for June 1, and the results will be declared on June 4.
Despite the electoral proceedings, ethnic clashes, particularly in Manipur, persist. Over 220 individuals, predominantly Christians, have lost their lives in clashes between Kuki and Meitei communities since May 3 last year, primarily over the demand for inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe.
The Indian government has labeled the ethnic violence in Manipur as a manifestation of narco-terrorism. Nevertheless, tribal Christians have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pro-Hindu government of siding with the predominantly Hindu Meiteis.