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Assam Rifles troops seen closing down an NSCN (IM) ‘mess’ in Kohima.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 29 (EMN): Security forces closed down five ‘messes’ belonging to the NSCN (IM) at different locations in Kohima, ‘in line with the agreed Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR)’, on Friday.
The public relations officer of the establishment of Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) Lt. Col. Vincent Patton on Friday informed Eastern Mirror that Assam Rifles troops closed down five messes of NSCN (IM) including—two messes in High School area, and one each at Taklu ground in Lerie colony, Bara Basti, and Chota Basti.
However, he added that “messes here in Kohima were not functional”.
Following the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG)/Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB) directive to the armed Naga groups that “no mess/office can be active outside designated camps”, security forces have been carrying out drives to shut down “unauthorised offices and camps by NSCN groups” in various locations across the state.
Recently, the security forces have closed down “unauthorised messes and camps” of Naga groups at Jalukie and Ahthibung in Peren district.
A letter from the office of the chairman of CFMG/CFSB, which was addressed to the joint secretary (NE) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, stated that a ‘series of meetings with the NSCN groups under ceasefire with the GoI on October 29 and 30 was held over the issue of NSCN groups running various unauthorised offices under different names such as CAO, UT-1, UT-2, Command Centre, etc.’
According to the letter, “All the NSCN groups have agreed to close down any such mobile offices in all the districts of Nagaland with immediate effect in the light of the agreed ceasefire.”
During a ceasefire meeting on November 20, three NSCN groups—NSCN (Khango), NSCN(R) and NSCN (U)— had appealed to the CFSB to “think again about closing down messes as the final agreement is expected to be signed anytime soon”.
