Manipur Election Results 2017: Advantage Congress, but BJP heading for a decisive presence

On August 3, 2015, when the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) reached a peace accord, there was jubilation all round. Modi met Thuingaleng Muivah, the reclusive and legendary leader of what is now the longest-running insurgency in South Asia, and holding him solicitously by the arm, led him to the table to sign the documents: The symbolism of this was lost on no one. Few paid attention to the fine print in the agreement — which was never made public.

But this opacity has not hindered the prospects of