NSCN (IM) Eastern Flank forms provisional government, names Ikato Chishi Swu chairman and rejects ongoing Naga peace process
DIMAPUR — Deepening the fissures within NSCN (IM), the group’s Eastern Flank has announced the formation of a “provisional government”, declaring that the spirit of the ceasefire agreement with government of India has "ceased to exist" and reaffirming what it described as both political and armed resistance for Naga sovereignty.
The announcement was made through a resolution adopted at an extraordinary joint emergency meeting of Civil National Workers and Naga Army Officers of the NSCN (IM) (Eastern Flank), held at Mt. Horeb Camp on July 21.
According to the resolution, the meeting declared the establishment of a provisional government “until a full-fledged government is formed” and unanimously entrusted a nine-member team, headed by Ikato I Chishi Swu as chairman, to constitute the new body.
The group also declared “null and void” earlier expulsion orders issued against several of its senior leaders, including Hs. Ramsan, Lt. Gen. A Raman, Lt. Col. (Retd.) Victor Angami, Ikato I Chishi Swu, Rev. Vitovi Yeputho, Pamshang Zimik and Angyo Jacob Jingseya. It alleged that the expulsions were intended to silence veterans and facilitate what it described as a “piecemeal solution” to the Naga political issue.
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In its resolution, the Eastern Flank strongly criticised the “Competencies” submitted by the NSCN (IM) leadership to government of India, alleging that the document compromises Naga sovereignty and violates the party's manifesto and Yehzabo (constitution). It reiterated its commitment to what it called the “unquestionable right” of the Naga people over Nagalim.
The group further claimed that the government of India had issued an ultimatum between August and October 2019 that there would be no further negotiations on a separate Naga flag and constitution. It alleged that despite this, the NSCN (IM) leadership continued negotiations within the framework of the Indian Constitution.
Referring to the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015, the group alleged that government of India had “betrayed” the accord. It also cited a statement purportedly issued by the group's chief political negotiator, Th. Muivah, on November 7, 2024, saying that if a political initiative was rejected by the government of India, the NSCN would resume armed resistance.
The Eastern Flank claimed that the leadership had failed to act in accordance with that position and therefore declared that the ceasefire agreement had effectively lost its relevance. It added that it would continue both political and armed resistance “to safeguard the sovereign existence of the Naga nation.”
The newly announced provisional government comprises Ikato I Chishi Swu as chairman; Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Hs. Ramsan as vice chairman and member; Lt. Col. (Retd.) Victor Angami, Lt. Gen. A Raman, Brig. Detail Dani and Angyo Jacob Jingseya as members; with Ngaramni Jagoi, Merry Ramsan and Rev. Vitovi Yeputho serving as advisers.
The group also issued a call to all Naga national workers and the wider Naga public to join what it described as the formation of a unified national government committed to upholding the principles of the organisation's founding leaders and pursuing the Naga political movement.