Shillong Accord of 1975

Last updated

The Shillong Accord of 1975 was an agreement signed between the Government of India, also referred to as the Federal government, or Union government, or Central government of India, and Nagaland's underground government, also referred to as the Naga Federal government, or Naga guerillas, or Naga rebels, to accept the supremacy of Constitution of India without condition, surrender their arms and renounce their demand for the secession of Nagaland from India. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

This historic agreement was signed at Shillong, Meghalaya, on 11 November 1975; thus, the name Shillong Accord of 1975. [1] [2] [3]

Representatives

Discussions

There were a series of four discussions held with governor alone; at times, assisted by his advisors and Joint secretary of MHA. In all the four discussions held on 10 and 11 November 1975, the representatives from underground government and liaison committee participated. [1] [2] [3] [4] [6]

Agreement details

The outcome of the discussions were compiled into three-point agreement, that ultimately came to be known as historic "Shillong Accord of 1975." [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

  1. The representatives of the underground organisations conveyed their decision, of their own volition, to accept, without condition, the Constitution of India.
  2. It was agreed that the arms, now underground, would be brought out and deposited at appointed places. Details for giving effect of this agreement will be worked out between them and representatives of the Government, the security forces, and members of the Liaison Committee.
  3. It was agreed that the representatives of the underground organisations should have reasonable time to formulate other issues for discussion for final settlement.

Signatory details

The "Shillong Accord" was signed on 11 November 1975 at Shillong, by the Governor of Nagaland L.P. Singh representing Indian government and the Nagaland's underground leadership represented by Kevi Yalie, M. Assa, S. Dahru, Veenyiyl Rhakho, and Z. Ramyo. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Supplementary Agreement

A supplementary agreement, detailing the process of depositing arms as per Clause 2 of Shillong Accord of 1975, was signed on 5 January 1976. The agreement included the implementation process of Clause 2, including the modalities for housing the underground members in peace camps.

  1. It was decided that the collection of arms, initially at collection centres, would commence as early as possible, and will be completed by 25 January 1976. Initial places of collection to be decided through discussion between Commissioner, representatives of underground organisations and the members of the Liaison Committee.
  2. Once all arms are collected, these will be handed over to Peace Council team at the respective places of collection.
  3. Peace Council team will arrange to transport the arms from collection centres to Chedema peace camp and arrange guards, etc., for safe custody of arms.
  4. Similar arrangement at agreed place/places will be made in Manipur with the concurrence of the Manipur Government.
  5. The underground may stay at peace camps to be established at suitable places, and their maintenance will be arranged only by the Peace Council. Any voluntary contribution from any source will be made to the Peace Council who will utilize the fund according to necessity.

[1] [4]

Signatory details

The "Supplementary Agreement" was signed on 5 January 1976 at Shillong, by the Governor of Nagaland L.P. Singh representing Indian government and the Nagaland's underground leadership represented by Biseto Medom Keyho, Pukrove Nakhro, I. Temjenba, and Z. Ramyo. [1] [4] [5]

Post-agreement consequences

The signing of Shillong Accord appears to have provided the final solution for the last twenty-years of conflict that inflicted suffering and neglect; accordingly, a large-scale of arms were surrendered, and the villagers enthusiastically participated in persuading the Naga underground rebels to come out and join the mainstream. The agreement also seems to be a victory for Indian government as Naga rebels agreed to accept the Indian constitution of their own volition, agreed to deposit the arms, and formulate other issues for discussions as part of final settlement. [3] [7]

Criticism

The detractors and critics of the Shillong Accord maintained that the Clause 3 that stated "reasonable time for the underground representatives to formulate other issues for discussion for the final settlement," still remained unimplemented -- as most of the Naga people and the Naga National Council(NNC) leaders abroad didn't agree to endorse the agreement. They even criticized saying that the agreement was signed by "representatives of the Naga underground," rather than the organizations like NNC or the Federal Government of Nagaland(FGN). [4] [5] [8]

However, many Nagas, who were not reconciled being part of Indian union of states, condemned the agreement that ultimately created factionalism among the rebels. When the negotiations were going on before signing the agreement, it is said that Isak Chishi Swu, then-NNC Vice-president, and Thuingaleng Muivah, then-NNC General secretary, with 150 rebels were on their way back from China and Burma-Naga territory where they established their base. Some critics also point out that Phizo, then-NNC president and who was in exile from 1956 in London, neither endorsed nor renounced the agreement; though, his younger brother Kevi Yalley represented underground organizations and signed Shillong Accord. It is also believed that both Isak and Muivah tried their best to convince some of their colleagues, especially Phizo to condemn the agreement, including sending a seven-member delegation urging Phizo to condemn the Shillong Accord without delay; however, it looks Phizo remained silent and their voice went unheard. [4] [5] [6]

Both Isak and Muivah after five years of signing the accord, decided to restore the damaged image of the NNC for having accepted the Indian constitution, openly rejected the agreement terming it as a "betrayal" by the NNC and censured it as a complete "sell-out" of the Naga rights, including derogatory remarks against Phizo, and swore to fight for unquestionable sovereignty; thus, the trio Muivah, Isaac and S. Khaplang created National Socialist Council of Nagaland(NSCN) breaking-up[abandoning] from their old organization NNC on 2 February 1980. NSCN, in spite of emerging as a strong rebel group, never enjoyed the popular support that NNC enjoyed at its peak. By 1988, NSCN was further splintered on tribal lines into two different factions—NSCN(K), under Khaplang leadership, and NSCN(IM), under Isak and Muivah leadership. After the death of Phizo on 30 April 1990 in London, NNC further splintered into two more factions—NNC(A), under Phizo's daughter Adino leadership, and NNC(K), led by previous NNC Vice-president Khodao Yanthan. [4] [5] [6] [9] [10] [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insurgency in Northeast India</span> Ongoing militancy in Northeast India

The Insurgency in Northeast India involves multiple separatist and jihadist militant groups operating in some of India's northeastern states, which are connected to the rest of India by the Siliguri Corridor, a strip of land as narrow as 14.29 miles (23.00 km) wide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S. C. Jamir</span> Indian politician

Senayangba Chubatoshi Jamir is an Indian politician and former Governor of Odisha. He was Parliamentary Secretary to Jawaharlal Nehru and Deputy Minister under Indira Gandhi. He has served as the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Governor of Maharashtra, Governor of Gujarat & Governor of Goa. He was awarded the third-highest Civilian Award in India, Padma Bhusan in 2020 for his work in public affairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naga Conflict</span> Ongoing conflict in northeast India

The Naga conflict, also known as the Naga Insurgency, is an ongoing conflict fought between the ethnic Nagas and the Government of India in North-East India. Nagaland, inhabited by the Nagas, is located at the tri-junction border of India on the West and South, north and Myanmar on the East. Finding its roots in colonial history, this conflict is as old as Independent India, the country it seeks secession from.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Socialist Council of Nagaland</span> Naga separatist group of Northeast India

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) is a Naga militant and separatist group operating mainly in northeastern part of India, with minor activities in northwest Myanmar (Burma). The main aim of the organisation is allegedly to establish a sovereign Naga state, "Nagalim", which would consist of all the areas inhabited by Naga tribes in Northeast India and northwest Myanmar. India claims that China and Pakistan provide financial support and weaponry to the NSCN. Drug trafficking and extortion are believed to be other major sources of income for the NSCN.

The Naga National Council (NNC) was a political organization of Naga people, active from the late 1940s to the early 1950s. It evolved out of the Naga Hills District Tribal Council, an organization established in 1945 by the Deputy Commissioner of the Naga Hills district. The group was reorganized to form NNC in 1946 at Sanis, with Eno T. Aliba Imti Ao as the President, and other democratically elected Naga representatives as its members. NNC declared independence a day before India's independence on 14 August 1947, and unsuccessfully campaigned for the secession of the Naga territory from India.

Naga nationalism is an ideology that supports the self-determination of the Naga people in India and Myanmar, and the furtherance of Naga culture.

Longri Ao (1906–1981), also known by name Longritangchetha, was an indigenenous Baptist missionary from the North-Eastern state of India, Nagaland. He was a missionary to the Konyak people and a peacemaker. He is known to have risked his life to restore peace in Nagaland, and to negotiate a ceasefire agreement between the Government of India and underground leaders fighting for Nagaland secession from India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insurgency in Manipur</span> Ongoing armed conflict between India and multiple separatist rebel groups

The Insurgency in Manipur is an ongoing armed conflict between India and a number of separatist rebel groups, taking place in the state of Manipur. The Insurgency in Manipur is part of the wider Insurgency in Northeast India; it displays elements of a national liberation war as well as an ethnic conflict.

Thuingaleng Muivah is a Naga separatist politician and General Secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M).

The Naga Peace Accord is a peace treaty, signed, on 3 August 2015, between the Government of India, and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), to end the insurgency in the state of Nagaland in Northeast India. The Government’s interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, R. N. Ravi signed it on behalf of the Government of India, whereas Lt. Isak Chishi Swu, Chairman and Thuingaleng Muivah, General Secretary signed on behalf of the NSCN, in presence of the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Isak Chishi Swu was the chairman of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). He along with Thuingaleng Muivah and S. S. Khaplang were instrumental in the creation of NSCN on 31 January 1980 after opposing the 'Shillong Accord' signed by the then Naga National Council (NNC) with the Indian government. He was unable to attend the historic Naga Framework Agreement signed on 4 August 2015 due to health conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S. S. Khaplang</span>

Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang was a Burmese leader of Naga ethnicity. He was the leader of the NSCN-K, an insurgent group that operates to establish a Greater Nagaland, a sovereign state bringing all Naga-inhabited areas of Myanmar and India under one administrative setup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hill tribes of Northeast India</span> Indian ethnic group

The hill tribes of Northeast India are hill people, mostly classified as Scheduled Tribes (STs), who live in the Northeast India region. This region has the largest proportion of scheduled tribes in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. N. Ravi</span> 15th Governor of Tamil Nadu

Ravindra Narayana Ravi is an Indian politician and former bureaucrat serving as the current governor of Tamil Nadu. Ravi served as governor of Nagaland from 1 August 2019 to 9 September 2021 and as Governor of Meghalaya from 18 December 2019 to 26 January 2020.

Khodao Yanthan was a Naga liberation leader and a member of the Naga National Council (NNC). He was popularly called, “the grand old man of Naga political struggle”.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Nagas</span>

The history of the Nagas dates back centuries, but first appear in written records of Ahom kingdom during the medieval period of Indian history. Aside from developing contacts with the Ahom kingdom, which was established in 1228 in Assam, the Nagas generally lived an isolated existence from the outside world. This changed in the 19th century, when the Burmese Empire launched several invasions of Assam between 1817 and 1826, which led the Nagas to briefly fall under Burmese rule. However, the neighboring British Empire annexed Assam in 1828 following the 1826 Treaty of Yandabo.

Elections to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly were held in February 1998 to elect members of the 60 constituencies in Nagaland, India. The Indian National Congress won a majority of the seats and S. C. Jamir was re-appointed as the Chief Minister of Nagaland. The number of constituencies was set as 60 by the recommendation of the Delimitation Commission of India.

Perietsü Kevichüsa Meru, commonly known as Tubu Kevichüsa was a politician from Nagaland, India who served as the General Secretary of Naga National Council until his assassination in June 1996 by armed men from the NSCN-IM. His brother Chalie Kevichüsa was also assassinated by the NSCN-IM in September 1992.

This is a timeline of the history of the Nagas.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Nagaland Accord - The Shillong Agreement of November 11, 1975". satp.org/. Retrieved 27 April 2012. representatives of the underground organisations met the Governor of Nagaland, Shri L.P. Singh representing the Government of India, at Shillong on 10th and 11th November, 1975.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "THE SHILLONG ACCORD OF 11 NOVEMBER 1975 BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND THE UNDERGROUND NAGAS". npmhr.org. Retrieved 27 April 2012. There was a series of four discussions. Some of the discussions were held with the Governor alone; at others, the Governor was assisted by the two Advisers for Nagaland, Shri Ramunny and Shri H. Zopianga, and Shri M.L. Kampani, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. All the five members of the Liaison Committee namely Rev. Longri Ao, Dr. M. Aram, Shri L. Lungalang, Shri Kenneth Kerhuo and Shri Lungshim Shaiza, participated in the discussions.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Dawn of Peace in Nagaland - SHILLONG ACCORD". nagaland.nic.in. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2012. the historic "Shillong" signed at Shillong on November 11, 1975, by the Governor of Nagaland Mr. L.P Singh representing the Government of India and the underground leadership represented by Mr. Assa and Mr. Kevi Yalley
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Reisang, Vashum (December 2000). Nagas' Rights to Self Determination. Mittal Publications. pp. 93–211. ISBN   9788170997740.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Peace Process in Nagaland". safhr.org. Retrieved 27 April 2012. An Accord that never was: a critique of the 1975 Shillong Accord
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Nagaland: The Beginning of Insurgency - II : The Shillong Accord". indiandefencereview.com. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2012. The liaison committee held talks with Biesto Medom, Keviyalle (Phizo's brother), Ramyo and M Asa of the underground. When it became clear to the Governor, Shri LP Singh, that the agreement had a fair chance of success, he met the committee at Shillong. The Governor was assured that the underground on their own volition accepted without condition the Constitution of India and promised to deposit their arms at an appointed place. The agreement, which came to be called the Shillong Accord, was finally signed on November 11, 1975 - When the Shillong Accord was being negotiated, Isak Swu and Muivah with a group of 150 hardcore rebels were on their way back from China - When Muivah and Isak Swu were informed about the developments, they rejected the Accord and termed it as betrayal by the NNC and swore to fight on. - Soon cracks developed in the group. Isak and Muivah made derogatory remarks against Phizo and the policy adopted by the NNC.
  7. ↑ "SHILLONG ACCORD". nagaland.nic.in. Retrieved 29 January 2012. JThe signing of the Shillong Accord had ushered in a general feeling of well-being all throughout and hope for peace and for a final solution of the twenty-year-old conflict once again appeared in the horizon.
  8. ↑ "Clarification on 'Shillong Accord'". nagalandpost.com. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2012. I say that in the name of Almighty God that the Naga National Council (NNC) never signed the Shillong Accord. Some of our leaders and I do have already clearly made known earlier about the signing of the Shillong Accord in 1975, that NNC was never a part of it. I therefore sincerely advise him to read once the text of Shillong Accord and not to repeat to write so in the near future, lest Mongaimo commits crime against the nation and it will be irreparable for him.
  9. ↑ Thomas, John (2016). Evangelising the Nation: Religion and the formation of Naga Political Identity (First ed.). New Delhi: Routledge. p. 176. ISBN   9781138639928.
  10. ↑ "Naga solution: 'Supra state' may don new avatar". sevensisterspost.com. Archived from the original on 28 April 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2012. NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and chairman Isak Chishi Swu are in Delhi for another round of talks with the Government of India.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ↑ "NNC slams Shillong Accord". The Times of India . 30 May 2011. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Naga National Council (NNC), led by Senka Yaden, reiterated that it was against the Shillong Accord and added that it would not budge an inch from its demand for Naga sovereignty - "Naga sovereignty is our birthright. We shall never compromise on this," NNC vice-president Kiumukam Yimchunger
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.