Olive branch, not gunfire: NSCN (K) seeks peace with Centre

‘Not a plea for mercy, but a decisive offer,’ Naga group asserts

DIMAPUR — The NSCN (K), led by Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Ang Mai, has reached out to the government of India with what it called an “olive branch,” urging dialogue and understanding instead of escalating conflict in Naga-inhabited areas.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the outfit underlined the importance of a bilateral ceasefire with Myanmar for “peace and development” in the Eastern Naga region.

Alongside, it asserted that a “unilateral understanding” with India was equally crucial to push forward developmental activities along the Indo-Naga-Myanmar border.

“As a sole representative of the Nagas and guardian of the eastern Nagas in Myanmar, it is the responsibility of the NSCN (K) to 'develop the border areas and the entire eastern Naga-inhabited areas.' No internal or external forces will be given a chance to hamper the promises and assurances made to the Nagas by the NSCN (K),” the statement read.

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Pointing out that a ceasefire agreement with Myanmar had followed the formation of a democratic government there, the NSCN (K) maintained that a similar understanding with India was urgent and necessary. “A one-way peace would be a threat to security and stability,” it stated.

While acknowledging decades of hostility between ‘Indian sovereignty and Naga sovereignty,’ the outfit stressed that “fighting and frictions alone” could not resolve the conflict, and that diplomacy “is often the final and judicious mantra.”

The NSCN (K) further clarified that it did not intend to disengage from civil society groups that had supported previous ceasefire initiatives with the government of India.

It declared that its call for understanding with Indian security forces was a “national responsibility” and must be met with equal clarity and reciprocity.

The group warned against misinterpreting its stance as weakness. “Co-equal respect and mutual co-acceptance to political degrees of understanding can only forward periodical or permanent peace.