NSCN Provisional Government rejects Hebron peace initiative, questions its mandate and raises unresolved killings of four cadres in March
DIMAPUR — The NSCN Provisional Government headed by Chairman Ikato Chishi Swu has rejected the peace and reconciliation initiative being pursued by the Hebron-based NSCN (IM), questioning its political mandate and raising the unresolved killing of four of its cadres earlier this year.
In a statement issued on Monday, the splinter group—formerly the NSCN (IM)’s Eastern Flank— said it was closely watching the movements and political activities of the Hebron group, led in Eastern Nagalim by Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Ramkathing Varah, under a “peace campaign” involving reconciliation between the NSCN (K) factions led by Ang Mai and Yung Aung.
It expressed “deep political scepticism” towards the initiative, arguing that the Hebron group’s political position had departed from the established Naga political principle.
The group also questioned the NSCN (IM)’s authority to speak on the broader Naga political issue, saying no organisation had the mandate to redefine the Naga national position for its own interests.
It also flagged the killing of four of its cadres at Hongpei village on March 28. The group identified them as Maj. Sochipem Phungshok, Sgt. Major Zairei, Sgt. Bahnle Ahlahpyah and Sgt. Thansomi Vashi.
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The group maintained that NSCN (IM) had yet to provide what it considered a satisfactory explanation for the deaths and argued that the unresolved issue cast doubt on its projection as a messenger of peace and Naga unity.
“Until such serious matters are addressed,” the statement declared, the peace initiative would inevitably be viewed with suspicion.
The group also urged Naga national workers and cadres across different factions to remain vigilant against what it described as attempts to use the language of peace and reconciliation for political advantage.
It stated that Eastern Nagalim was “not a political vacuum” where any organisation could unilaterally establish authority or dictate terms in the name of reconciliation.
The statement further alleged that the Hebron initiative represented Indian political influence being brought into Eastern Nagalim under the guise of reconciliation.
It asserted that any genuine effort towards Naga unity must be based on political integrity and adherence to what it described as the fundamental Naga national principle.
The group added that it would continue to scrutinise political activities in Eastern Nagalim and warned that any further attempt to disrupt what it described as the region’s “peaceful fabric” would not be tolerated.