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NewsDecode | Internal Security & Governance | Mains Paper 3: Security Challenges and Their Management in Border Areas; Role of External State and Non-State Actors
For Students:
From a UPSC perspective, this analysis is essential for understanding internal security, peace negotiations, and the complexities of insurgency and ethnic conflicts.
Why in the News?
For the first time since the 2015 Framework Agreement, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has issued a threat of renewed armed violence, highlighting unresolved tensions in the Naga peace process.
Background of the Naga Peace Process
Historical Context: The Naga insurgency, one of India's oldest armed ethnic conflicts, dates back to the 1950s. The NSCN-IM, a major insurgent group, has long sought sovereignty and greater autonomy for the Naga people, including demands for a “Greater Nagalim” that extends beyond current state boundaries.
2015 Framework Agreement: In 2015, the Government of India signed a Framework Agreement with NSCN-IM to outline steps towards a peaceful resolution. The agreement aimed to recognize Naga distinct identity and aspirations within the Indian Union, though the specifics were not disclosed.
Current Issues: Disagreements persist, especially over Naga sovereignty, the demand for a separate flag and constitution, and territorial claims. NSCN-IM’s renewed threat suggests that these unresolved issues are testing the limits of the peace agreement.
Key Demands and Points of Contention
Sovereignty and Cultural Identity: NSCN-IM has emphasized the need for a separate Naga flag and constitution as symbolic of Naga identity and autonomy. These demands have been a major sticking point in negotiations.
Greater Nagalim: The group advocates for an expansive Naga homeland, including parts of Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh, which has led to inter-state tensions and opposition from neighboring states, complicating the peace process.
Implications for Internal Security
Threat of Armed