‘Naga accord is still in the works’

R.N. Ravi says framework pact only mentions broad parameters of a final settlement

R.N. Ravi, who was the interlocutor in the Naga peace talks, said here on Thursday that the peace agreement was yet to be finalised and it would not compromise the territorial integrity of any State.

On August 3, 2015, at a much-publicised ceremony at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, Mr. Ravi signed a “peace accord” with T. Muivah, general secretary the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), to find a lasting solution to the Naga issue. However, following the signing of the agreement, the then Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh, which have a sizeable Naga population, said they had not been consulted by the Centre. The government is yet to release the terms of the framework agreement.

Manipur situation

Manipur, which goes to the polls on March 4 and 8, has been under an economic blockade for more than four months following a strike called by the United Naga Council (UNC), a conglomerate of Naga bodies, against the Manipur government’s decision to carve out seven new districts.

The council operates under the patronage of the NSCN (I-M).

Mr. Ravi told a news agency on Thursday: “The framework agreement is less-than-one-page document; it tells about broad parameters within which the final settlement will be worked out. So it’s the principles within which we will work out the settlement. It does not mention anything about Manipur or any State, it does not compromise the territorial integrity of Manipur.”

“A framework agreement is not the final agreement and you do not serve half-cooked meal. We believe it is not in the larger interest to release the details now. But I have explained it to all the stakeholders by and large by going and meeting with them on what it contains. An incomplete agreement can create issues,” he said

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said that without consulting all stakeholders, a final decision would not be taken. The Minister said: “I will expose the evil design of Congress, which will bust their strength. I will change the wrong perception by exposing the truth.”