Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 21 (EMN): The NSCN (IM) on Thursday denied allegations of forceful recruitment during a meeting with the chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG), Lieutenant General Shokin Chauhan at the state VIP guesthouse in Kohima. The NSCN (IM) delegation was led by Kehoi Swu, convenor of Ceasefire Monitoring Cell (CFMC).
The issue of recruitment and the need for better understanding between NSCN (IM) and the security forces were the major talking points of the meeting. This was confirmed to Eastern Mirror by a source privy to the meeting.
On the closure of ‘unauthorised’ office and camps, the NSCN (IM) was quoted as saying “our camps have existed since the beginning of the government”. It asserted that such closure directives will “create a gap.”
Solution before Christmas?
Meanwhile, on November 20, following the CFMG meeting between NSCN (Khango), NSCN (Unification) and NSCN (Reformation) in Kohima, two of the groups were confident/hopeful of an “outcome by this year, that too, before Christmas”.
Speaking with Eastern Mirror, a representative of the NSCN (U) had said that the solution “will be signed before Christmas”.
Another representative from NSCN (Khango) said that agreement could be signed “by this year”. However, overall implementation will take time, the source added.
Taxation ‘to continue’ till solution
On the much-debated issue of taxation, an NSCN (U) leader asserted that “we will continue minimum taxation from the Naga people” until a final solution is delivered.
Another representative from the NSCN (R) said: “We are bound to take contribution; unless we collect (taxes), how we can survive?”
He added that the group will “continue” with the taxation, as it is “fighting for the Naga people” and for a “Naga nation”.
He said that taxation is the group’s “legitimate right” and hoped that ‘people would be patient for a few more months, before the inking of a solution’.
