Centre signs peace accord with biggest Naga group; Naga rebel chief praises PM’s vision

New Delhi: In a clear message that his government is keen to resolve the decades-long Naga insurgency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced the signing of a peace accord with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), the biggest Naga rebel group, which has been maintaining a ceasefire since 1997.

NSCN(IM) leader T. Muivah appreciated Mr Modi’s “vision” and “wisdom” and said Nagas “can be trustworthy”. While the terms and conditions of the pact are likely to be officially announced in Parliament on Tuesday, sources said it may finally set the tone for the government and Muivah faction to find a “political solution”, including a unified Nagalim (Greater Nagaland).

The peace accord is, of course, not entirely the initiative of the Modi government: the process had kickstarted in 2011 under UPA rule. “95 per cent agreement had been put in place in 2011. The broad contours of a peace deal had been agreed upon, leaving aside a few issues,” former Union home secretary G.K. Pillai said to the Deccan Chronicle.

The move also gains significance as it comes months after the all-out offensive against its rival faction — NSCN(K), run by S.S. Khaplang. Khaplang is said to be unhappy over the government’s indulgence towards the Muivah faction.