"So far, the peace in Nagaland remains elusive."Discuss in the light of recently signed framework agreement.

Model Answer:
The Shillong Accord between Indian government and Naga National council was failed due to its ambiguous nature; this led to constitution of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), in 1980, which is presently carrying on the movement for an independent, sovereign Nagaland. Inspite of several insurgency activitist  and several peace talk failures, the Government of India has nevertheless been holding peace talks with the NSCN leaders in different parts of the world like Bangkok, Geneva and Davos, but none of the talks reached a final agreement or settlement. Also, there has been a ceasefire agreement in force since 1997.However, in August 2015, a historic ‘framework agreement’ between the Central Government and the NSCN-IM was signed, which shows the flexibility and realism of the NSCN (IM) in terms of the willingness to alter goals. For example- Firstly, their demand has changed from a complete sovereignty and Greater Nagalim to “shared sovereignty” and greater autonomy to Naga inhabited areas outside of Nagaland through the establishment of autonomous district councils within constitutional framework. Secondly, the signing of the accord shows that Nagas are insistent on a peaceful path to conflict resolution. Thirdly, it brings to an end to an ‘almost two decade- old’ ceasefire and endless rounds of ‘talks’ and opens up windows of peace talks with several other militias. All these shows that the peace in Nagaland remained elusive before the historic Naga Accord in 2015.

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