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New Delhi: Nagaland has emerged as the worst performing state in the Northeast region, with poor performance in poverty, health and affordable energy, according to a report released by NITI Aayog last week.
In the first edition of NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index focusing on the North Eastern Region (NER), 12 districts of Nagaland have been placed in the ‘performing’ category of the index.
All the districts in seven states have been ranked in one of four categories – aspirant (0-49), performer (50-64), front-runner (65-99), and achiever (100) – one according to their performance. Look at the goals in the report.
According to the index, Nagaland fared poorly in six goals – no poverty, good health and wellness, affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, industry and innovation and infrastructure.
The report also indicated a mixed performance by the state in quality education, reducing inequalities, climate action and peace, justice and strong institutions.
However, it has done well in the SDGs free of hunger, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, good work and economic development. The state has also excelled in life on land SDGs, with only one district in the artist category and the rest in the forefront category.
Experts in the field say Nagaland’s turbulent past, home to India’s longest insurgency, has led to a corrupt government and lack of development.
“Though all the states have a history of militancy, the government in Nagaland is controlled by the insurgents the most. Tribal armed groups in Manipur have been holding peace talks in one form or the other for the last 10 years. All other states in the Northeast are not facing any militancy problem – which plays an important role as you cannot rule without their cooperation,” said Suhas Chakma, who hails from Tripura and is a member of Rights and Risk Analysis Group A, New Delhi. based think tank.
“Nagaland has an opposition-less government, which is unheard of in India, and this shows how conflict-ridden the state is,” Sukma told ThePrint.
Nagaland is followed by Meghalaya in the index, with one district – which is at the top – in the artist category.
Meanwhile, Mizoram, Tripura, all except two districts of Manipur, majority of Assam and almost half of Arunachal Pradesh fall in the front line.
Read also: Meghalaya’s mother tongue doesn’t help gender equality, Northeast performs poorly on SDG index
rebellion in nagaland
Nagaland’s six-decade long history of insurgency has often been attributed to being a major obstacle in the path of development and governance in the state. The revolt in the Naga region of that time began with India’s independence movement against the British in 1929.
Under the banner of the “Naga Club”, the Nagas petitioned the Simon Commission that they should be left alone to determine their future like the past and not be forced to be ruled by Indians, who, they said, never Didn’t ‘Victory’. notes Center for Development and Peace Studies (CDPS) located in Guwahati.
In 1975, shillong agreement It was signed between the Indian government and the rebels in the hope of peace in the region.. Agreement relating to the unconditional supremacy of the Indian Constitution, the surrender of arms and the relinquishment of the demand for independence from India.
However, this proved to be a futile attempt as violence continued in the state even after this.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), a separatist group, was formed in 1980 following the failure of the accord.
However, a rift broke out between the tribal groups and it split into factions which further broke up. One of these was the National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Isaac Muivah (NSCN-IM), which came to be known as the “National Socialist Council of Nagaland”.Mother of all revolts in the state”.
While several peace and ceasefire efforts were made, tension remained in the state.
“Between 1992 and 2014 (as of March 2), at least 2456 militancy-related deaths have been recorded in Nagaland,” the CDPS said.
NSCN-IM recently started again Talked with the Indian government in August last year but its demand for a separate flag and constitution continues.
Vicious cycle of corruption in Nagaland elections
According to cdpsThe violence caused by the insurgency affected “all spheres of governance and the lives of the common people”.
Khekia K. Sema Nagaland, a former IAS officer, who wrote the book ‘Facing Life’ On life in Nagaland in the 1980s and 1990s, this sentiment echoed.
“The democratic process in Nagaland is on a vicious cycle of elections, within which you compulsively perpetuate corruption,” SEMA told ThePrint.
Explaining the corrupt government and political system in Nagaland, he alleged that no vote is given for free in Nagaland. “When an elected candidate takes office, they have to compensate for the electoral investment. This is when all the rules and regulations are thrown out the window,” Seema said.
Underlining the role of insurgent groups in the electoral process, he argued that the state government had become subordinate to them. “The government pays the rebels quite heavily to get their allegiance and support. Whereas factions openly declare that they don’t care about Indian elections.”
“How can a state perform properly in any area when such a system exists? Corruption has become a way of life, and no one can do anything about it. Under these circumstances, no government will be able to protest,” Seema said.
Read also: Delay in Naga peace process is intentional and suits NSCN(IM) chief Muivah
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