Govt must assuage social anger over Naga killings

The air is filled with tension in Nagaland since last Saturday when the elite para special forces mistakenly killed more than a dozen ordinary labourers thinking they were terrorists of the outlawed National Socialist Council of Nagaland (KhaplangYung Aung) faction, which has not been a part of the government’s conciliation efforts to bring about the end of militancy among the Nagas.

A soldier also died in the confusion when the small contingent of troops was attacked in revenge by outraged villagers. The state government has set up a high-level enquiry. The Army’s 3 Corps has also set up a Court of Inquiry. Union home minister Amit Shah has sent a communication expressing his sorrow to the Naga people.

These are important formal steps to take. But the government will be well-advised to seek to persuade the Naga civil society, cutting across tribal divisions, that the tragic episode resulted from misreading technical signals by the Army unit in question, and the idea couldn’t possibly be to punish ordinary people. This aspect of the political dynamics is of the highest importance in disturbed areas and the government is often not sensitive to it, as happens to be the case in J&K. The fact that a soldier also lost his life may help to persuade the more reasonable elements of society.

It should be kept in mind that although the unintentional killing occurred in the area of the Konyak Nagas in Mon district along the boundary with Myanmar, all the Naga tribal as well as social and political groups, including the BJP’s supporters, have come forward to demand the ending of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Nagaland.

The social anger is evident and justified. Nagaland’s famous annual Hornbill Festival, held for 10 days each year in early December to bring together the cultural life of all the Naga groups, has been cancelled by the state authorities after many participating entities withdrew to show their anger and solidarity with the families of the dead. This could hurt India’s image diplomatically as tourists from around the world, as well diplomats posted in India, are known to attend this festival. This year, diplomats from the US, Australia and Japan — the Quad countries — were there too.

The Framework Agreement of the Government of India with the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) group, signed as far back as 2015 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a view to settling the Nagaland insurgency, is still stuck at the paper stage. Evidently, it wasn’t clearly drafted. Questions have been raised by the Naga side in respect of their interpretation of the expression “sharing of sovereignty” contained in the draft. After the ending of constitutional autonomy of J&K in August 2019, New Delhi finds itself awkwardly placed in dealing with the Naga rebels who demand a separate Constitution and flag. The firing incident lends itself to be exploited by anti-India elements to fan disaffection.

The government will be well-advised to seek to persuade the Naga civil society that the tragic episode resulted from misreading technical signals by the Army unit in question