Sixteen Point Agreement
Topic: Regional Aspirations: J&K, Punjab, the North-East and Accommodation · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Sixteen Point Agreement was signed in 1960 between the Government of India and the Naga People's Convention, a group of Naga leaders willing to work within India. It led to Nagaland becoming a state in 1963 (13th Amendment, 1962). It also led to Article 371A, which protects Naga religious and social practices, customary law (the community's own traditional rules) and ownership of land. It matters because it was the first big step in bringing the Naga movement into the constitutional system.
Example
Under Art. 371A, an Act of Parliament on Naga customary law or land ownership does not apply in Nagaland unless the Nagaland Assembly agrees. That gives the Nagas control over these matters.
Don't confuse with
- Hydari Agreement (June 1947): an earlier deal between the Assam Governor and the Naga National Council. It gave ten years of autonomy, and its disputed last clause fed the claim to independence.
- Shillong Accord (1975): under it, a section of the Naga underground (armed rebels) accepted the Constitution and gave up arms.
Related concepts
- Hydari Agreement
- Naga insurgency
- Shillong Accord
- Naga Framework Agreement
- Greater Nagalim
- Mizo National Front
- Mizo Accord