As Nagaland mourns Mon murders, longing for normalcy remains a distant dream – The New Indian Express

Through PTI

KOHIMA: The killing of 14 civilians by security forces in Mon district ended an inconsolable 2021 year for Nagaland, with its people’s common aspiration for a speedy solution to this decades-old political problem remaining unanswered. distant dream.

Fourteen civilians, including six daily wagers working in a coal mine, were gunned down in a series of gunfire by security forces in the Mon district on December 4 and 5 in a botched anti-militancy operation, triggering nationwide outrage and reviving demand for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 from the Northeast State.

Even as political leaders in the region, including Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, pushed for the repeal of the controversial law, the Center declared the entire state of Nagaland a “disturbed area” for six months. additional with effect from December 30 within the framework of the AFSPA while qualifying the state of the “dangerous” state.

ALSO READ: AFSPA partial lift soon in Nagaland?

The state assembly also held a special session on December 21, when it passed a resolution demanding the withdrawal of AFSPA from the state and northeast, in addition to an apology for the killings in the village of Oting in Mon.

The move caught the attention of Congress and the newly rising People’s Party as they demanded justice and not just an apology.

In solidarity with Konyak Nagas, the tribe to which the victims belonged, the state government canceled the signing of the Hornbill Festival, which was being held after two years due to the pandemic.

Diplomats from a number of countries attended the festival when it was canceled due to rising tensions.

READ ALSO: “AFSPA gives power to the military, cannot resolve the insurgency”: militants from the North-East say that the law of 1958 must disappear

The question of solving the political problem of the Naga hit an obstacle during the year, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) refusing to speak with the interlocutor then appointed by the Center. and state governor, RN Ravi, claiming he had. not trust him.

Ravi was transferred to Tamil Nadu as governor on September 9.

Talks resumed on September 20 in Dimapur with the appointment of the former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau AK Mishra as a new interlocutor.

Dialogue then moved to New Delhi, but the insistence of the NSCN (IM), which signed the framework agreement in August 2015, on a separate flag and constitution blocked a final solution as the Center maintained its position not to concede these demands. .

On the other hand, parallel talks with the Naga National Political Groups Working Committee (NPPG), which is ready to move forward and reach a final agreement, could not advance much either.

READ ALSO: Nagaland shooting incident proves high time for AFSPA to be repealed from northeast, says Irom Sharmila

To facilitate the resolution of the Naga question and make a united voice heard in front of the Center, the main opposition Naga Front (NPF), which has 25 deputies, proposed to join the government, which was accepted by the Ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA).

This led to the formation of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) government, leaving no significant opposition in the state.

Claiming that resolving the Naga political issue was high on its agenda, the state government in June formed a committee of 60 lawmakers and two MPs to iron out differences between the negotiating parties.

The assembly also passed a four-point resolution on the controversial political issue in February, as the 60-member House decided to work together to facilitate meaningful negotiations.

However, unanimity proved elusive as Congress urged all 60 MPs to step down to show their sincerity and put pressure on the Center for a solution to this decades-old problem.

READ ALSO: Amid AFSPA debate, number of civilian casualties in northeast is highest in three years

The year also saw a split within the NSCN (Reformation) with Akato Chophy becoming its new president.

Currently, there are at least 13 underground Naga groups in the state.

The factional struggle within the BJP state continued for the second year with the presidents of six district units demanding the impeachment of Nagaland party chairman Temjen Imna Along, but this was not welcomed. by central management.

The Democratic-Progressive Nationalist Party (NDPP), a major constituent of the ruling coalition, won the votes unchallenged against Noksen and Shamator-Chessore, bringing its total to 21 in the state assembly.

In March, the inter-district conflict between Peren and Dimapur districts turned violent, killing three people.

Tensions also reigned along the interstate border with Assam.

However, defusing the situation, Assam and Nagaland signed an agreement on July 31 to maintain peace in the areas around the villages of Ao Senden and Vikuto.

The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic hit the state in April-May, forcing the government to impose strict restrictions.

The state has reported 32,188 cases of Covid.

Of a total of 702 deaths to date, 623 have occurred in 2021.

The state has administered 13,333,991 doses of the vaccine to date.

Nagaland has experienced a drought-like situation this year with the delayed arrival of the monsoon and erratic rainfall.

According to data from the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), the districts experienced a rainfall deficit of 20 to 59 percent, with the exception of Mon which received 40 percent of rainfall. excessive.

The Nagaland government launched the Vision 2030 document in August, along with the Manual for Locating and Integrating District Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at a well-governed, peaceful, inclusive and prosperous state with a sustainable economy. and diverse, a skilled and healthy population. population, offering equitable opportunities to all citizens.