Flag and Constitution hurdle at last lap: Much more than symbolic

It should be obvious to all now. While to Interlocutor to the peace talk and Governor of Nagaland RN Ravi, a separate flag and a separate Constitution are merely symbolic in nature, to the NSCN (IM) this is at the core of their understanding of ‘shared sovereignty.’ To the NSCN (IM), a separate flag and a separate Constitution is central to their understanding of the Nagas and the Indians living as two distinct entity while to India this is nothing much more than mere symbols. To the seven NNPGs too, the flag and Constitution do not mean much and they are ready to go ahead and sign the final deal. And if the NSCN (IM) is left out, where does it leave the outfit ? A poser already raised in an earlier commentary here and since New Delhi seems adamant in not going ahead with the separate flag and separate Constitution stand of the NSCN (IM), it may offer something else which could have reverberations in the States neighbouring Nagaland. What happens if New Delhi says yes to giving more autonomy to the areas where Nagas predominantly reside, for example to some parts in Manipur ? Or say something along the line of a Pan Naga formation ? Will some sections within the NSCN (IM) be pliable to such an offer and if yes what happens to the outfit ? Given such a scenario can there be a further split in the NSCN (IM) ? These are all questions at the moment, and very likely that it is these questions which may have prompted the State Government to convene an all political party meeting on October 22 to discuss the likely impact of the final pact on the State of Manipur.
How will the Nagas respond, if the final pact is signed without the NSCN (IM) ? The Centre must have gathered enough intelligence information on this for RN Ravi to go ahead and say that the final pact may be signed without the NSCN (IM) but remember the peace parleys with the said outfit began 22 years earlier after the ceasefire agreement was inked on August 1, 1997. A little over two decades old it is and just how long it has taken for the peace process to reach this point may be better understood by the fact that a child born back in 1997 would now be an adult, old enough to vote, drive and even visit the bar. At the same time, it also stands that enough time has been consumed for either side to know the position of each other, but obvious that this has not been the case. In other words, so far what the peace process has done is divide the people of North East along ethnic lines and sow seeds of suspicion amongst the Nagas, which may even lead to open confrontation if the final pact is inked without the NSCN (IM). If such a possibility becomes a reality then it would be back to square one. A frightening possibility which may become a reality. There are still some days ahead and one hopes that the journey to peace is not hindered by any short sightedness and stubbornness on either side. At the same time, the Centre too should take care to ensure that in their efforts to make peace with the NSCN (IM), it does not throw the neighbouring States into turmoil.