Senior NSCN(I-M) Kilonser Kraibo Chawang who is also convenor of the Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG) has said that while talks were going on to solve the Naga political issue at the highest levels, the actions of chairman of the CFMG, Lt. Gen (Retd) N.K.Singh were instead, only undermining such efforts.
In an interview to Nagaland Post here today, Kraibo cited various incidents and instances that occurred from the day Lt. Gen. N.K.Singh took over as chairman CFMG.
He cautioned, that the present cease-fire was almost on the verge of a breakdown because of Gen. Singh’s alleged obstructionist and hostile attitudes. Kraibo then went on to say that the cease-fire between the government of India and NSCN (I-M) can only be salvaged if Gen. Singh was removed as chairman of CFMG otherwise, it was “going out of control”.
According to Kraibo, the chairman CFMG (Lt. Gen.N.K.Singh) acted as if he was more interested in finding fault than on trying to promote greater understanding with NSCN I-M).
He said in the past, former chairmen used to hold at least one meeting of the CFMG in a month but after Singh took over, both sides hardly met three times in three years.
Some of the points highlighted by Kraibo against Singh included his statements that the cease-fire was confined only to Nagaland state and which resulted in the Manipur government deploying more troops in hill districts, especially Ukhrul. He said these deployments had led to various incidents of firing and injuries on civilians by the security forces.
Another issue that Kraibo held against Singh was his order issued to the Assam Rifles to cross the NSCN (I-M) army gate at Hebron in order to set up solar lighting equipment at Beisumpuikam village, some half a kilometre from Hebron.
Kraibo said Naga Army authorities at Hebron were incensed because it violated the prohibition imposed on security forces from going beyond the restricted area covering the designated camp(s).
He also charged the chairman CFMG of not allowing NSCN (I-M) Naga Army personnel from moving around by imposing various frisking and raids on residences of members.
Kraibo said in 2012, he was also subjected to harassment when his weapons, permitted as per the CFGR, were seized by Assam Rifles. Though the weapons were returned, he said the AR charged him with possession of AK47 despite the fact that it was permitted as per the CFGR.
He said Naga Army of NSCN(I-M) and security forces were locked in stand-off in the Arunachal –Nagaland(Mon) border due to the mis-interpretation of presence of NSCN(I-M) . He said the stand-off took place on February 7,2016 and ended only on February 9 due to the intervention of the higher-ups at 3 Corps and IGAR(N).
Further, Kraibo also said Gen.Singh showed his lack of concern by failing to have Assam Rifles return back the Rs.3 lakh seized despite several pleas. He said the cash was meant for buying ration for the NSCN(I-M) Naga army.
Kraibo disclosed, he had written several times to the authorities of the central government, complaining about the hostile and negative attitude of Gen.Singh but that there has been no response.
He said without a peaceful ground situation, even if an agreement was arrived at the top, the situation would not be good and added, it was imperative that the government of India urgently name a new chairman of CFMG.