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The two firing incidents in Mon district on August 15 morning, reportedly by the Yung Aung-led NSCN alias NSCN (K-YA), almost marred the 76th Independence Day celebration in the state. While the gunfight at Nyasa village in the early hours of Monday left two Assam Riffles jawans injured, the one at Longwa village was said to be just a case of firing blank shots in the air from a distance. Though no group has claimed responsibility for the firing till date, fingers have been pointed at the NSCN (K-YA), as the incident happened just days after it ‘called for a boycott of the August 15 celebrations in the occupied-Western Southeast Asia region’ in a joint statement with the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent, stating that it would be effective in the states of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The incident was overshadowed by the Independence Day celebrations across the country but it exposed the existence of an undercurrent of hostility. It could have turned bloody had the Indian security forces not thwarted the attempt to disturb peace. The security forces also handled the situation well by not directing their anger at the innocent civilians, a welcomed change from the past that’s tainted by accusations of atrocities after a clash. In fact, the Assam Riffles personnel have acknowledged the villagers for helping in the evacuation of the injured soldiers. Such behaviour will help bridge the trust deficit between the security forces and the people.
Violence of any type is unwarranted at a time when people are craving for peace after living under the shadow of the gun for decades and when most Naga political groups are engaged in peace talks with the government of India to find a permanent solution to the political issue. It can also undo the hard-earned peace in the region and sabotage the attempt to repeal the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the entire state. Considering the fact that ceasefire agreements were instrumental in bringing about a dramatic decline in violent clashes between the Indian security forces and various insurgency groups over the years, attempts should be made to bring all rebel groups under the peace process. The price of not signing a ceasefire was evident from the bloody encounters between the undivided NSCN (K) and the Indian army after the former abrogated the truce in 2015. The group has split into three factions since, with the one led by Khango and the other by Niki Sumi having joined the peace process, while the group led by Yung Aung is yet to initiate such a step. This disintegration could have weakened the NSCN (K-YA) but there are possibilities of the ongoing political turmoil in Myanmar revitalising the group. Their movement in the border areas could cause unwanted clashes in the future. So, to bring peace in the region, especially in the eastern part of Nagaland and towards one settlement to the Naga political issue, the group should be taken onboard the peace process. Provoking each other will only aggravate the situation further.