GPRN/NSCN, NSCN (K) to comply; NSCN (I-M) has reservation
With assembly elections round the corner, Government of India prohibited all the Naga factions in various phase of cease-fire agreements, not to carry arms and weapons between the last date of filing nominations and end of polling (February 7 to 23).
This was discussed at separate closed-door meetings of the three NSCN groups-GPRN/NSCN(Khole-Kitovi),NSCN/GPRN(Isak-Muivah) and NSCN/GPRN(Khaplang) with the government of India, represented by chairman Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG)/Cease-fire Supervisory Board (CFSB) Maj.Gen (retd) N.George Monday in the Police Complex Chumukedima.
While the GPRN/NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) was reported to have expressed willingness to comply, the NSCN(K) agreed with a rider “if necessary”; while the NSCN(I-M) expressed reservations about the instruction.
Interacting with media after the closed door separate meetings with three groups, chairman CFMG/CFSB Maj.Gen (retd) N George revealed that letters to the effect were sent to all the groups stating that carrying of weapons was banned, even to identity card holders, during the election period except for any “emergencies” for which the cardholder has to intimate the nearest Assam Rifle (AR) post.
The chairman explained that the objective was only to prevent any kind of violence. He disclosed that all the groups except the NSCN (I-M) expressed some reservation. Maj. Gen (retd) George disclosed that the ban on carrying of weapons would be strictly enforced from February 7 by security forces. He said security forces would conduct checks and seize any weapon carried by cadres without prior intimation.
GPRN/NSCN kilonser and CFSB supervisor, C. Singson disclosed that his group was willing to maintain peace and avoid clashes by following the instructions but remained skeptical whether other groups would follow suit.
Singson while dismissed speculations about involvement of GPRN/NSCN in the state elections as it has made it clear that none from its side would be allowed to involve in elections.
NSCN (K)’s CFSB supervisor D. T. Lincoln reiterated that chairman S.S. Khaplang’s statement that NSCN (K) had nothing to do with Indian election indicated his group’s stand.
He however pointed out that if the government of India has any apprehension about identity card holders, then it should be intimated to the group responsible.
Lincoln said since Khaplang had already made the NSCN (K) stand clear, the group was willing to “be more cooperative, if necessary”.
NSCN (I-M), kilonser and CFMG convenor, Kraibo Chawang did not want to speak to the media but only said that “I stand by the ground rules but the chairman wants the imposition from the government of India. That is the only difference.”
Asked about the outcome, CFMG chairman George admitted that the NSCN (I-M) was “not happy” with the instruction. George said the NSCN (I-M) had cited the Cease-fire Ground Rules (CFGR) where identity card holders were permitted to carry weapons. George said he responded to the NSCN (I-M) saying that if they claimed “to be speaking for the people of Nagaland” during talks with the government of India, then NSCN (I-M) should also be able to “appreciate the sentiment” of the people of Nagaland who want peaceful elections.
George said he told NSCN (I-M) that the sentiments were visible in the media and conveyed to NSCN (I-M) that it has to compromise with its stand for the sake of the sentiments of the people of Nagaland, whom it claimed to represent.
George also pointed out that even though NSCN (I-M) has quoted CFGR, it would not be applicable as the instruction has been sanctioned by the government of India and not by the CFMG chairman.
CFMG meeting also discussed Hebron and New Chungtia issues
The contention over dismantling of certain structures by the 29 Assam Rifles, in New Chungtia camp of the Hevito Battalion, Naga Army of the NSCN (I-M), was discussed at the meeting with the latter, said CFMG chairman, Maj Gen (retd) N George.
He said as NSCN (I-M) cannot have any construction outside the boundary of the camp and so structures beyond had been dismantled. George said the NSCN (I-M) CFMG convenor argued that the construction had been shown to former chairman CFM Lt.Gen (retd) R.V. Kulkarni. George said he pointed out that proper procedure had to be followed to formalize such acceptance and taking then chairman could not be taken as an acceptance as it had to be taken up at CFMG meetings involving representatives of the centre and state government, after which it had to be recorded then forwarded to the union home ministry for formalization and acceptance.
George maintained that the structures at New Chungtia camp were outside the gate and therefore, had to be removed.
On NSCN (I-M) complaint to a letter signed by one Major, Adjutant for commandant, 29 AR to collect land details of Hebron camp, George said the administration and “everybody” have put across a request to NSCN (I-M) to indicate the parameter of their camp so that the movement of AR from a distance of one kilometer from the camps could be maintained.
He said according to Cease-fire Ground Rules, Assam Rifles can have free movement on any public road.
However, he said problems arose when camps keep on “extending” till the road. In such cases, George said, the one kilometer distance was not acceptable.
“That privilege of one kilometer is then getting kind of misrepresented, it is being misconstrued” he said.
George also disclosed that while other groups agreed to his request to visit their camps, the NSCN (I-M) had declined. He said when one got defensive and insecure about allowing anyone inside a camp, it only increased such problems. He said the need was to be more transparent to minimize such problems.
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