Nationalism and self-determination : should Nagaland declare itself an independent state?

Abstract

There has been a cry and a struggle from the Nagas calling for a separate state for over 3 decades now, as it was evident and outlined in several academic articles, different types research, Naga authors and Indian local news1. There is a crisis in the Northeast, in particular, ‘Nagaland’, a crisis that calls for separation, a need for political attention and an expression of poor investments in social and economic infrastructures across Nagaland. Bearing in mind the political corruption that is situated across Nagaland diminishes all aspects or attempts of social, economic, and political development, which leads to an ascending agitation towards separation and independence. The purpose of this research is to understand the different layers of identity of the Naga people2, and also to see whether the negligence of the central government of India to the northeast is one of the main reasons or contributing factors to the instability and erupting violence in the Northeast, specifically Nagaland. Finally, it also aims to draw a conclusion of the extent of legitimacy for Nagaland to call for separation and independence with the analysis of the data collected; in other words, whether Nagaland is ready to be independent and if it is for the best of its interest or not. This research was conducted by using primarily qualitative and quantitative data collection (i.e.: interviews and surveys) directly from the local Naga people, in addition to the literature review that covers historical, sociopolitical and theoretical aspects of the conflict.