Delhi – Prime Minister's Office, South Block – May 6rd, 1949
While the official draft about the gold repatriation and debt investments was being prepared, Arjun, who was going through the day's dispatches, picked up the confidential cable from Nagaland's governor. The date was May 5thd, 1949, and something about the carefully chosen words made him pause.
He picked it up and read:
Confidential CableFrom: Governor, Nagaland (Naga Hills District)
To: The Prime Minister's Secretariat, New Delhi
Date: 5 May 1949
Subject: Emerging Activities of the Naga Council and Need for Policy Clarification
Sir,
I have the honour to report observations regarding the Naga Council, recently forming in the northern and central divisions of this district. While no overt acts of defiance have yet occurred, the Council has begun organizing local village committees and holding private assemblies to deliberate on matters of governance.
1. The Council's growing coordination has been met with apprehension by certain tribal leaders, who express uncertainty regarding the scope of Union authority over local customs and land usage. Some village elders have requested clarity on the powers of the civil administration, citing a desire to maintain traditional governance structures.
2. Though officers of this administration continue to exercise authority in accordance with Union directives, the present lack of clarity in policy regarding tribal engagement risks gradually alienating local populations.
3. I respectfully submit that the PM's guidance on the following points would assist in preemptive consolidation:
• Confirmation of the Union's position on Naga community's form of self-administration versus integration.
• Instruction on acceptable forms of tribal council activity under Indian law.
• Recommendations for development or welfare initiatives which may build local trust.
4. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,[Signature]Governor, Nagaland
Arjun finished reading and put the cable down slowly, letting out a frustrated breath. He leaned back in his chair and actually rubbed his face with both hands. Of all the things to miss...
The Naga Council and uncertainty about Union authority. He knew exactly what this looked like because he'd seen where it led in the original timeline. This was how it started, this uncertainty turning into resentment, resentment into resistance, and resistance into decades of armed insurgency.
He walked to the wall map and stared at the Naga Hills, that mountainous region that had always been treated as peripheral, remote, and manageable later.
In his previous life, the Naga insurgency had lasted generations. Thousands of people dead, and communities torn apart, a wound that never quite healed even into the 2020s. Worst of all, it wasn't limited to just Naga tribe. No. It spilled into other tribes as well, making Naga rebellion as some sort of example to be followed.
Mizo Union of 1946 is already a stellar example. Thankfully, they're still new to this mess.
He'd been so focused on global diplomacy and the western frontier, that the Northeast had more or less become a blind spot. Though at least he'd avoided one major mistake from the original timeline.
Back then, all the northeastern territories had been dumped under Assam's administration, completely overburdening the provincial government.
This time, he'd already redistributed administrative responsibilities, creating separate governance structures for Nagaland (Naga Hills), Arunachal Pradesh (NEFA), and other tribal hill regions like Mizoram. At least that was one disaster avoided.
But the Governor's cable showed that avoiding administrative collapse wasn't enough. "Apprehension." "Uncertainty." "Lack of clarity." These were warning signs, early indicators that things could go very wrong if left unaddressed. And they did, originally.
He pressed the intercom. "Get me Sardar-ji, Planning Minister Pant, and Minister Shastri. Tell them that it's urgent."
The three ministers arrived within twenty minutes, looking curious about the sudden summons. Arjun pushed the cable across his desk without much ceremony.
"Read this, gentlemen. Carefully."
Patel picked it up first, his expression darkening as he went through it. He passed it to Pant, who shared it with Shastri. The room was quiet except for the hum of the air conditioner.
"Naga Council, huh" Patel said finally, his jaw tightening slightly. "This is no too different from what we saw with some of the princely states, before things got difficult. Organization, coordination, and uncertainty about authority. If we don't address this now, it'll become a serious problem later on."
"It's already a serious problem," Arjun said, feeling genuine concern settle in. "The Governor is being diplomatic, but what he's really saying is that we have no clear policy for the Northeast.
The Nagas don't know where they stand with us, we don't know where they stand with us, and everyone's just waiting to see what happens next. That's not governance, that's hoping problems solve themselves."
Pant was reading the cable again. "He's asking for policy guidance on three specific points. Self-administration versus integration, acceptable council activities, and development initiatives. Those are reasonable questions that we should have answered months ago."
"Which is why we're answering them now," Arjun said, his determination returning. "And not just answering them, we'll be fixing the entire approach to the Northeast."
Shastri spoke up. "Prime Minister, what kind of integration are you thinking? The Nagas, like other tribal communities, have very distinct cultural practices, and traditional governance systems. We can't just impose standard administration on them."
"I'm not suggesting we do," Arjun replied. "But we need a clear framework. Here's what I'm thinking. First, we give them an answer on self-administration. Yes, they can maintain traditional village councils and customary laws for local matters. Cultural practices and internal tribal disputes, that stays with them.
But land usage, sovereignty, defense, and major infrastructure & integration with the national economy, that's Union's territory. Clear boundaries, and no ambiguity."
Patel nodded slowly, understanding the balance Arjun was trying to strike. "Autonomy within defined limits. It's workable, but only if we also demonstrate that integration brings real benefits."
"Which brings me to the second part," Arjun continued, warming to the subject. "The Governor mentions development initiatives to build trust. That's not just a mere suggestion, but an essential aspect.
We need massive infrastructure development across the entire Northeast, starting with the Naga Hills (Nagaland)."
He traced routes on the map with his finger. "Railways connecting them to the plains, all-weather roads between major settlements, communication networks, power grids, etc.
Of course, we can't do everything at once. So, let's start with the roads and power grids first. Make it so they're not isolated anymore. And we have an advantage now that the British never had: Unlike Brits, we aren't the outcasts in East Bengal which is now our territory once again.
We can use its ports, railways, and road networks without any fear of rebels attacking the supply chains. And so, these will become the base for developing the whole Northeast."
Pant's eyes lit up with interest. "That's actually brilliant, Prime Minister. East Bengal gives us the logistical backbone we need. We can route everything through there instead of trying to build from scratch through impossible terrain."
"Exactly," Arjun agreed, feeling some of his frustration ease. "And it's not just infrastructure. We also need to invest in education and healthcare. Like establishing government schools and hospitals in every major village.
We show them that being part of India means real investment in their communities, not just demands for obedience."
"What about the Council itself?" Patel asked, tapping the cable. "I personally think we shouldn't give them too much freedom. Not now at least."
Arjun thought for a moment. "Hmm. We engage with it, carefully. Make it clear that councils are acceptable for discussing community concerns and traditional governance, but they don't replace Union authority.
We can even formalize their role as advisory bodies for local administration."
He turned back to the ministers, his expression becoming more serious. "But we also need to be absolutely clear about limits. Any talk of independence, any armed resistance or attempt to undermine our sovereignty, gets dealt with firmly and immediately."
Shastri raised a practical concern. "Prime Minister, not only this kind of development will be enormously expensive, it'll also slow down the infrastructure developments that are currently underway in other parts of the country since we'll be diverting the workers to these newer projects."
"So?" Arjun shook his head. "Shastri-ji, you want to deal with insurgencies instead? That'll cost more, both in money and lives. You're right about the slow down. But, let's be realistic. Nation building takes time. We don't have other choice.
And also, your Ministry must recruit workers locally in all regions where new development projects are initiated. This will create immediate jobs and at the same time reduce the burden on the diverted workers."
Shastri thought for a moment before nodding, "Alright. I'll see to it, Prime Minister".
"Good," Arjun said. "And I want regular progress reports, not just annual summaries. Monthly updates on infrastructure progress, local engagement, and any signs of growing unrest. We're not letting this slip into crisis because nobody was paying attention."
He looked at Pant. "Pant-ji, how long do you need to draft a formal plan to implement all of this?"
Pant momentarily went through the discussed points again. "Prime Minister, I can deliver a preliminary framework in three days, and the full plan in seven. But I'll need more details regarding route surveys and manpower handling. Especially when terrain there is not very forgiving."
Patel nodded slowly. "Don't worry about the surveys. I'll have IB field officers, those who know every ridge and trail in that region, to compile the terrain data for your team."
"Alright then," Arjun nodded. "Let's ensure we get this started as soon as possible. Oh, and Shastri-ji, you are to coordinate with Pant-ji regarding the manpower management."
Both the ministers nodded and left the office.
The door closed behind Pant and Shastri with a soft thud, leaving the room unusually quiet.