NSCN (IM) accuses Indian forces of violating ceasefire agreement in Assam

DIMAPUR — The NSCN (IM) has hit out at the government of India (GoI) for allegedly violating the agreed ground rules of ceasefire, following the alleged killing of three NSCN (IM) cadres on April 29.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the Naga group claimed that the incident had occurred at NC Hills (Eloi Hau Bn.), Assam, within what it referred to as Nagalim, or Naga territory.

It expressed deep concern over the “deliberate breach” of ceasefire ground rules designed to maintain peace during the ongoing political negotiations.

The NSCN (IM) accused Indian forces of launching an "unprovoked attack" on a Naga Army base within Naga territory, thereby violating clause (a) of the ceasefire terms, which prohibits offensive operations like ambushes, raids, and attacks leading to death, damage, or loss of property.

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It called upon the GoI to immediately cease all hostile activities, respect the terms of the ceasefire, and engage in dialogue to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

The group also appealed to the international community and relevant monitoring bodies to take note of the alleged violation and support efforts to uphold the ceasefire and facilitate a negotiated political agreement.

While reaffirming its commitment to peace, the NSCN (IM) maintained that it reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect Naga people and their territory in the face of perceived aggression.

In a separate statement, the Publicity and Information Bureau of the Naga Army General Headquarters claimed that the incident occurred near New Kubin and Herakilua villages, where a Naga Army camp under the Iloi Hau Battalion was reportedly attacked by a combined team of Indian Security Force and Assam Police.

It claimed that a heavy exchange of fire ensued. While the Naga Army claimed that eyewitness accounts suggest heavy casualties on the Indian side, they reported the loss of three of their own soldiers.

It stated that the attack violates the spirit of the 1997 ceasefire agreement. “This spirit of cooperation cannot be subjected to a particular area, for the same reason that it does not make sense to be fighting in one place and talking peace in another place at the same time.

“Against this backdrop, a joint statement was issued on June 14th, 2001, stating that the ceasefire agreement was between the government of India and the NSCN as two entities without territorial limits. In line with this agreement, Naga Army camps exist and operate in all Naga-inhabited areas, maintaining the ground rules of the ceasefire agreement,” the statement read.

 It went on to condemn what it called repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement by Indian security forces.

“It is high time the government of India spells out loud and clear whether there is ceasefire in Naga areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, and accordingly we will deem these areas as conflict zones if so desired,” it added.