The Naga Struggle

Introduction:

The Nagas are a tribal group in North-Eastern India.
They have a rich history of cultural identity, isolation, and political aspirations.
Over time, they've fought for autonomy and recognition.
Their struggle has shaped the region's socio-political landscape.

The Nagas are a tribal group inhabiting the Naga Hills in North-East India.
Their current distribution spans Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Myanmar.
For centuries, they lived in isolation, often engaging in inter-tribal conflicts.

The British established contact through missionaries, marking the beginning of their exposure to the outside world.
The British policy of least interference allowed Naga tribal cultures to continue, including village administration, land systems, customary laws, and social customs.
The Inner Line system, introduced through the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, controlled outside entry into Naga areas and intervened in inter-tribal conflicts.

The Naga Club was formed in 1918 and submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929, emphasizing the distinct histories of Nagas and Indians.
The Naga Hills Tribal Council emerged in 1945, later evolving into the Naga National Council (NNC) in 1946 under the leadership of A. Z. Phizo.
NNC demanded local autonomy and safeguards, rejecting the 6th Schedule's autonomy offer from the Constituent Assembly.
In June 1947, the NNC declared Naga Hills' separation from India with the British departure.

The Hyadri Agreement (nine-point agreement) recognized the Nagas' right to self-development as per their wishes.
In August 1947, the NNC declared independence, which went unrecognized by the world.
In 1948, Indian administration replaced British control.

In 1950, Nagas conducted a plebiscite and declared independence again, followed by civil disobedience and boycotting India's first general elections in 1951.
The NNC was banned by the Indian Government, leading to the abolition of tribal councils and the arrest of NNC leaders.
Nagaland became a state in 1963 under the leadership of Dr. Imkongliba Ao, but the Naga movement continued.

The Shillong Accord (1975) led to a ceasefire and acceptance of the Indian Constitution by the NNC, but not all factions agreed.
In 1980, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) emerged, aiming for Greater Nagalim, incorporating Naga-inhabited areas from Assam, Arunachal, and Manipur.

NSCN (IM) became a major insurgent group, demanding Greater Nagalim.
A ceasefire agreement was signed in 1997 with the Government of India (GoI).
The Framework Agreement was signed in August 2015, a significant step towards Naga Peace Accord, aiming for a dignified and equitable life for Nagas.

The Framework Agreement faced challenges due to NSCN-IM's insistence on a separate constitution, flag, and territorial integration.
The aspiration for Greater Nagalim remains a contentious issue with complex implications.