Taking serious view of the recent communication by chairman Cease-fire Monitoring Group (CMFG)/Cease-fire Supervisory Board (CFSB), Maj. Gen (retd.) N. George to convener Cease-fire Monitoring Cell (CMFC) prohibiting any cadre including card holders from carrying weapons between February 7(last date of filing nominations) to February 23(polling date), NSCN (I-M) Friday termed the communication as violation of cease-fire ground rules by the CFMG.
It may be recalled that the CFMG/CFSB chairman had separate closed-door meetings on February 4 with the three NSCN groups– GPRN/NSCN, NSCN (I-M) and NSCN (K) .
While, GPRN/NSCN was reported to have expressed willingness to comply, NSCN (K) agreed with a rider “if necessary” but the NSCN (I-M) expressed reservations about the instruction.
Addressing media persons at Hebron, emissary to the collective leadership, Gen (retd.) V.S. Atem accused chairman CFMG/CFSB Maj. Gen (retd) N George of cease fire violation by maintaining that N.George should have imposed the cease-fire ground rules without any partiality. Atem, termed the letter from the chairman CFMG, as “one sided “. Atem asserted that George was trying to apply ground rules meant for NSCN (K) to NSCN (I-M).
He pointed out that the cease fire with NSCN (K) stated that enforcement of the ground rules would be the responsibility of the government. He said the CF between the government and NSCN (K) mentioned that security forces would retain the right to enforce measures necessary to uphold the laws of the land and prevent any disturbance to peace.
Atem said in the CF ground rules, the NSCN (K) agreed that during the course of the cease-fire, the group would refrain from acquiring and additional arms /ammunition/military equipments and that in the interest of promoting peace process, NSCN (K) agreed that there would be no movement in uniform in or outside the designate camp be it GPRN/NSCN or NSCN (K).
Atem said GPRN/NSCN or NSCN (K), as per their CF, did not have the right to go out with uniform outside the designated camps.
He said NSCN (K) accepted the legitimate authority of the Indian security forces to retain the right to enforce measures. However, he said in the case with NSCN (I-M) and as per the revised text of agreed ground rules for cease-fire finalized between government of India and NSCN on January 13, 2001, no such agreement exists.
As per the revised agreement, Atem said NSCN(I-M) card holders had the right to move in uniforms, with arms from one place to another but with due intimation .
He said NSCN(I-M)was required to give prior information so as to prevent any accidental encounter since cease fire exists.
He said Nagas had the right for recruitment and procurement of weapons; so long the Naga political issue remained unsolved. Atem maintained that the CFMG chairman, who was bound to be neutral in a communiqué to CFMC convenor Karaibo Chawang, had overstepped the jurisdiction of his position.
He also accused the CFMG chairman of clear violation of cease-fire ground rules by being partial with the government of India and a tendency to impose upon NSCN (I-M), the ground rules agreed by NSCN (K).
Atem recalled that the earlier chairman CFMG Lt. Gen. (retd) R.V.Kulkarni, the longest serving chairman, had never issued such “communications” even though many elections were held.
He also recalled that former chairman CFMG, Lt Gen (retd). Mandatta Singh, had withdrawn a similar letter after being called upon by the CFMC of the NSCN (I-M).
Atem asserted that the chairman CFMG, by sticking to the stand that effecting the recent letter was the constitutional responsibility of every agency, violated the cease fire rules.
Atem said if cease fire rules were to be “violated like this, we fear for the fate of the cease-fire between the government of India and NSCN”.
On the recent seizures of weapons and ammunition by Assam Rifles and Police on two occasions, Atem denied that the NSCN (I-M) acquired them and denied any involvement by the group. He said those involved were “smugglers”.
Atem also strongly condemned that notification from the office of CSFB through staff officer to the chairman of CFMG, G. Rengma dated December 19, 2012, instructing that no NSCN card holders were allowed to accompany NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu during his visit to Chishilimi village, Zunheboto from December 22 to 26, 2012.
He also slammed Manipur chief minister Ibobi’s demand to wipe out all NSCN (I-M) camps in Manipur. Atem said the government of India and home ministry remained silent on Ibobi’s demand.
He described Ibobi’s demand as stoking communal fight between the Nagas and Manipuris and tantamount to violation of cease-fire.
NSCN (I-M) has also condemned the dismantling of NSCN camp (Ao region camp) near New Chungtia village by 31 Assam Rifles.
Atem said that such acts indicated the security forces were trying to equate NSCN (I-M) with other factions.
Atem recalled that the earlier chairman CFMG Lt. Gen. (retd) R.V.Kulkarni, the longest serving chairman, had never issued such “communications” even though many elections were held.
He also recalled that former chairman CFMG, Lt Gen (retd). Mandatta Singh, had withdrawn a similar letter after being called upon by the CFMC of the NSCN (I-M).
Atem asserted that the chairman CFMG, by sticking to the stand that effecting the recent letter was the constitutional responsibility of every agency, violated the cease fire rules.
Atem said if cease fire rules were to be “violated like this, we fear for the fate of the cease-fire between the government of India and NSCN”.
On the recent seizures of weapons and ammunition by Assam Rifles and Police on two occasions, Atem denied that the NSCN (I-M) acquired them and denied any involvement by the group. He said those involved were “smugglers”.
Atem also strongly condemned that notification from the office of CSFB through staff officer to the chairman of CFMG, G. Rengma dated December 19, 2012, instructing that no NSCN card holders were allowed to accompany NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu during his visit to Chishilimi village, Zunheboto from December 22 to 26, 2012.
He also slammed Manipur chief minister Ibobi’s demand to wipe out all NSCN (I-M) camps in Manipur.
Atem said the government of India and home ministry remained silent on Ibobi’s demand. He described Ibobi’s demand as stoking communal fight between the Nagas and Manipuris and tantamount to violation of cease-fire.
NSCN (I-M) has also condemned the dismantling of NSCN camp (Ao region camp) near New Chungtia village by 31 Assam Rifles. Atem said that such acts indicated the security forces were trying to equate NSCN (I-M) with other factions.