Beyond Ceasefire: Rethinking Peacebuilding in the Indo-Naga context through Indigenous Governance and Cultural Justice

Abstract

The Indo-Naga conflict, a protracted struggle for identity and self-determination in South Asia, exposes the critical limits of state-centric peace negotiations focused solely on political and military accords. This paper contents that achieving sustainable peace necessitates a paradigm shift towards cultural justice and the recognition of indigenous institutions. The continuity of the conflict demonstrates that agreements lacking cultural depth-specifically the acknowledgment of the Naga people’s unique worldviews, collective memory and traditional governance structures-are ultimately fragile. Analysing formal dialogues, as well as the crucial interventions of Naga Mother’s Association, Church leaders and village councils, this study demonstrates how intercultural dialogue and the formal inclusion of local cultural frameworks generate legitimacy and trust. The research argues that lasting peace is not a document but a process rooted in respecting customary laws and clan-based dispute resolution mechanisms. The Indo-Naga experience offers a vital blueprint, showing policymakers globally how integrating indigenous governance and prioritizing cultural sensitivity transforms conflict from a zero-sum political game into an inclusive path for genuine reconciliation in ethnically diverse societies.