Muivah-Ravi Agreement: Assessment of Issues

Muivah-Ravi Agreement: Assessment of Issues

Question: The Muivah-Ravi agreement on Peace regarding the Naga issue is not a historic accord. Discuss the issues influencing the progress of the Naga accord.

- Muivah-Ravi agreement/Peace Accord in Nagaland was widely seen as a historic accord but it has now been relegated to the status of a framework agreement

- NSCN has not given up on sovereignty and the Indo Naga settlement will be based on shares sovereignty as the Nagas recognise India’s limitations and problems

- Shared sovereignty is a reflection of the multiplicity of Indian regional identity despite trans regional regions and a history of colonialism

- Unique federalist solution implies greater autonomy and more powers to Nagaland

- But Muivah’s stress that Nagalim has not been abandoned, has complicated the scenario

- Territorial solution to the Nagalim problem is not possible because Assam and Manipur CMs have disagreed to it

- A non territorial solution is needed which incorporates cultural integration for the Nagas

- The Myanmar issue is also a big question

- Myanmar has a stake in the Naga solution because of ethnic factors

- Moreover, the Thein Sein group has signed a ceasefire with Khaplang’s Muivah faction

- Myanmar is also facing a backlash from the Kachins and Kokangs

- Another problem is the trans-national and trans-border aspects of the Naga problem

- This has become India’s longest lasting ethnic insurrection.

Facts and Stats

- The proposed region of Nagalim has 3 million inhabitants

- Religion followed here is Christianity and languages include Tibeto-Chinese, Tibeto-Burman and Nagamese

Tribal Groups staying in this region include the following :

- Angami,

- Ao,

- Chakhesang,

- Chang,

- Khemungan,

- Konyak,

- Lotha,

- Phom,

- Pochury,

- Rengma,

- Sangtam,

- Sema,

- Yimchunger

- Zeliang