[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he two-day ceasefire review meeting concluded in New Delhi on Friday September 20. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials must have sat across the negotiating table wondering about the imponderable faces of Naga leaders with ongoing differences amongst themselves but from the offshoots of NSCN which in turn was a breakaway group from the original Naga National Council.The MHA was represented by the Special Secretary (Internal Security) and Joint Secretary (NE) Shambhu Singh. The five-member NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) faction was led by Singson, Wangtin Naga headed the NSCN (Khaplang) faction while Brigadier General (Retd) VS Atem led the NSCN (IM) group.
Singson said that they were satisfied in having clarified different issues on violation of ceasefire ground rules (CFGR) so that both sides have equal responsibilities to execute them in letter and spirit. The Naga groups also reiterated demand for invitation to start peace dialogue and “we are very hopeful.”
Wangtin Naga said both sides violate the CFGR. Assam Rifles raid their camps sometimes and “we might have violated CFGR sometimes.” In this connection they are trying to control some leaders and cadres and asking them to honour the ground rules, he said. However, he lamented that while they collect taxes which are “subscriptions” they (Indian Govt.) call it extortions.
Wangtin also said they condemn killing among themselves as their split has been affecting them. He felt that (the elusive) unity is the only silver lining. “There is no alternative to Naga unity. One day we must come together,” he said, the ongoing efforts of the FNR (Forum for Naga Reconciliation) notwithstanding.
On Paresh Baruah-led ULFA faction and some Manipur insurgent groups sheltering in Eastern Nagaland, VS Atem said that since they were Indians and had taken refuge in Eastern Nagaland, “how can we stop them or chase them out? They had come on their own. However, “we ensure that they do not indulge in any anti-Indian activity in Eastern Nagaland.”
The MHA Joint Secretary (NE) has asserted that any inadvertent violation of ceasefire can be excused, but violation of CFGR would be strictly dealt with. According to him, the meeting had also discussed the issue of fratricidal killings and increasing violence among the three factions who had not promised anything in this regard.
He further said it seems that they are also tired of this (killing) trend. So he expressed the hope that the Naga factions will refrain from indulging in any killings in future. However, in this connection, nobody would be spared and action would be taken as per the law of the land, he added.
In spite of talks since sixteen years first by the NSCN(IM), and that too at various places abroad, no concrete solution has been arrived at as yet. For the next round of talks the ball, according to Atem, “is in the court of Government of India.”
