‘Ceasefire doesn't grant immunity to carry out any unlawful activities’
KOHIMA — Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG)/ Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB), Lieutenant Gen. (Retd.) Amarjeet Singh Bedi, said on Saturday that his office has taken suo moto cognisance of the imbroglio involving the NSCN/GPRN (Khango) group.
Though the office did not receive a complaint on the issue, suo moto cognisance has been taken based on the media reports and comments conveyed to the office on the subject, he said in his maiden address to the media from Nagaland after assuming the chairman post in September 2020, at his office in the state guest house, Kohima.
He said that the issue has been continuously monitored by the office and the group has been held accountable for violation of some of the ceasefire ground rules (CFGR).
As per the ceasefire agreement signed between the government of India and the NSCN/GPRN (Khango), certain provisions stated that the group would restrain the blockade of roads and communications, from any activity which would disturb the functioning of local and state governments, economic or development activities, and essential services.
It also stated that the group would refrain from extortions, forcible collections of money and supplies and intimidation of individuals, including government officials.
When the CFSB office questioned, the group responded (in writing) that “their group functions purely on voluntary contributions and their statement to apprise Mr. Kezhaleo Rülho proprietor of M/S KKB Rülho firm of certain provisions of their government Yezhabo have been misinterpreted as Life/Capital punishment threat”, the chairman informed.
The group further informed the CFSB office that it was not their intention in any way to violate any of the ceasefire provisions and expressed their commitment to adhere to all the ceasefire ground rules.
Facilities like designated camps, ceasefire offices, and ceasefire identity cards have been provided to the groups for the smooth functioning of the works related to the ceasefire mechanism. However, the facilities provided to the group in “no way grant immunity to any of the groups to undertake violation of the ceasefire ground rules, or carry out any unlawful activities”, said the chairman.
Group assures to resolve issue
A meeting of the larger CFSB, consisting representatives of all the agencies, including the state government, Nagaland police, security agencies and NSCN/GPRN (Khango) group, was held on Saturday.
During the meeting, the group assured to adhere to all the provisions of the ceasefire ground rules and “will resolve the issue with the concerned parties at the earliest”, Bedi said.
The office of the CFSB also told the group that the issue must not linger on, as it is in no way helpful to any of the parties, and they have committed to resolve the issue at the earliest.
The CFMG chairman further said the issue would be regularly monitored to ensure that the group continues to adhere to their commitment as per the ceasefire ground rules.
He added that the Nagaland Police have already registered a suo moto FIR on the matter and the department has been requested to undertake a thorough investigation into the incident. Anyone found guilty will be dealt with as per the provisions of the law, said the chairman.
Currently, the GOI is in ceasefire agreement with five Naga political groups, namely NSCN (IM) since 1997, NSCN (U) since 2012, NSCN (R) since 2015, NSCN (Khango) since 2019 and NSCN (Niki) since 2021.
The ceasefire has been signed with an aim to usher in peace on the ground, so that the political discussions to resolve the Naga political issue can move ahead in an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect and peaceful conditions.
CFMG/CFSB office proactive
Bedi said the office of CFSB/CFMG has been proactive in terms of information and issues brought to its notice, and that due cognisance is taken up.
Maintaining that the groups have been accountable, he said he was involved in numerous incidents and able to resolve conflicts.
He urged the people to bring to the notice of the office if they come across incidents of the groups violating the CFGR.
The CFSB/CFMG office has received about eight cases of 'capital punishment' threats by the Naga political groups to citizens over a period of time. It also received 10 to 15 cases of ceasefire ground rules violations by the groups every month, it was informed.