| Destination Bangkok
Even though Government interlocutor in the peace talk between New Delhi and the NSCN (IM), K Padmanabhaiah has gone on record and stated that there was no 'dramatic development' after the fifth round of talk at the northern Thai city of Chiangmai on May 5, the report that Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga is on his way to Bangkok to participate in the peace talk is indeed a welcome development. Though the participation of Zoramthanga may not result in any dramatic results, the fact that he is there to create an atmosphere of mutual trust is significant.
As the Chief Minister himself candidly admitted, Zoramthanga would not be involved in offering packages but the very presence of a political leader from the North East region will surely help in creating a convivial atmosphere where the room for misunderstanding and lack of cornmunication can be kept under check. Himself a former rebel, Zoramthanga will know something about the 50 year old Naga insurgency problem and it is this knowledge at the grass root level that the Mizoram Chief Minister can contribute to the peace process.
Zoramthanga is also not new to holding negotiations with the Indian Government as the Mizo Accord of the mid 80s was a resounding success when the Mizo National Front under the leadership of the late Laldenga abandoned the bush war and joined the National polity: This should however not be misconstrued as equating the Mizo underground movement and the 50 year old Nationalist movement in Nagaland. Each has their own peculiarities and attempting to draw a parallel between the two would amount to missing the wood for the trees.
However much different the two issues are there can no denying the point that a common thread runs among all the underground movements in the North East region. The Mizoram Accord has gone to prove that solutions can be worked out if both sides adopt an accommodating attitude and work on the spirit of give and take. Rigid stand on any issue by either party will not take the process forward. This is where the presence of Zoramthanga will prove beneficial. An 'outsider' but nevertheless one with inside knowledge and one who can earn the trust of both sides, the services of the Mizoram Chief Minister can be utilized by both the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India to hammer out a long lasting solution.
Zoramthanga knows how it is to wage an underground movement against the Government of India and he equally knows how to negotiate, strike up a deal acceptable to all and enter the National polity. A word of caution. In bringing about an atmosphere of mutual trust Zoramthanga should see that such mutual trust is confined not only between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) but also amongst the people of the North East.
Another positive development is the withdrawal of warrants against Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu by the Nagaland Government under Chief Minister SC Jamir. We know there is no love lost between the NSCN (IM) and the charismatic Chief Minister of Nagaland but what cannot be disputed is the point that the very withdrawal of the warrants against the rebel leaders is a sure sign that Jamir is keen to see that the peace talk goes to its logical conclusion.
(Courtesy: The
Sangai Express) |
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