Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-07T19:25:18.754Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Wars without End: The Case of the Naga Hills

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

Marcus Franke*
Affiliation:
University of Heidelberg, Germany
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

When placed into longer historical perspective using an interdisciplinary approach that fuses historical anthropology, history and political science, as well as hitherto unutilized primary sources, it can be demonstrated that the newly independent Indian Union right from the start under Nehru used constitution and law as instruments of subjugation that, since the latter remained incomplete, have prepared the ground for a war without end in the Naga Hills of Northeast India. Moreover, its history since the 1820s shows that constitution- and law-making are in essence shaped by power politics only to be countered by force, leading in this constellation to an unending guerrilla war transforming ever larger circles of terrain into a low-level war-zone and firmly enthroning a culture of violence with all its concomitants.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © ICPHS 2006

References

Ao, M. Alemchiba (1970) A Brief Historical Account of Nagaland. Kohima: Naga Institute of Culture.Google Scholar
Aosenba, (2001) The Naga Resistance Movement: Prospects of Peace and Armed Conflict. New Delhi: Regency Publications.Google Scholar
Barooah, Srijut Chandradhar (1932) ‘Annexure 14. Memorandum regarding the position of Assam’, Proceedings of Federal Structure Committee and Minorities Committee, 3. Calcutta: Govt of India Central Publication Branch. in Indian Round Table Conference (Second Session), 7th September, 1931-1st December, 1931.Google Scholar
Brown, Judith M. (2003) Nehru: A Political Life. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Cohen, Stephen P. (1971) The Indian Army: Its Contribution to the Development of a Nation. Berkeley: SAGE Publications.Google Scholar
Conboy, Kenneth and Morrison, James (2002) The CIA’s Secret War in Tibet. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas.Google Scholar
Galbraith, J. K. (1988) Ambassador’s Journal (1969). New York: Paragon House.Google Scholar
Luithui, Luingam and Haksar, Nandita (1984) Nagaland File: A Question of Human Rights. New Delhi: Lancer International.Google Scholar
Mansergh, N. and Moon, P. (eds) (1974a) The Transfer of Power, 1942-7, vol. 7: The Cabinet Mission, 23 March-29 June 1946. London: HMSO.Google Scholar
Mansergh, N. and Moon, P. (eds) (1974b) The Transfer of Power, 1942-7, vol. 9: The fixing of a time limit, 4 November-22 March 1947. London: HMSO.Google Scholar
Medhi, Kunja (2000) ‘Human Rights in North-East India: A Contemporary Perspective’, in Alam, Aftab (ed.), Human Rights in India: Issues and Challenges. Delhi: Vedam.Google Scholar
Panmei, Nehemiah (1996) ‘Naga Movement and Its Ramifications’, in Vashum, R., Iheilung, Aleube et al. (eds), Nagas at Work. New Delhi: Naga Students Union Delhi.Google Scholar
Rajagopalan, Rajesh (2004) ‘Innovations in Counterinsurgency: The Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles’, Contemporary South Asia 13(1): 2537.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yonuo, Asoso (1974) The Rising Nagas: Delhi: Vivek Publishing House.Google Scholar