NSCN (I-M) sends team to Myanmar

NSCN (I-M) has sent another senior member to Myanmar as New Delhi toughened its stance towards the outfit and planned to raise the issue with Myanmar during home secretary-level talks at Naypyidaw, capital city of Myanmar, next week.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is believed to have turned down a request by the NSCN (I-M) leaders for a meeting, even as Centre insists on a time-bound settlement.

Union home secretary Anil Goswami will lead a delegation of officials from the ministries of home, defence and ministry of external affairs to Myanmar on Sunday.

“We will raise the issue of NSCN sending even more people to Myanmar,” a home ministry source told The Telegraph. The Indian delegation will return on October 15 after discussions on co-operation in real-time intelligence sharing, prevention of drugs and arms smuggling and effective guarding of the 1,643km border with Myanmar.

According to The Telegraph report, soon after despatching a senior steering committee member, Akhui, to Myanmar, NSCN (I-M) is reported to have sent another senior member to Myanmar. A ‘colonel’, Thotmathing, is reported to have led a group of over 40 cadres to Myanmar recently. Security agencies believe that the NSCN (I-M) is engaged in an “accrual” of its members in a possible scenario that negotiations fail, the report stated.

This is the first time in over a decade that the outfit has reopened channels with other North Eastern outfits with bases in Myanmar. 

It may be mentioned that on September 30, a large delegation of NSCN leaders met interlocutor, R.N Ravi.

NPN Adds: When Nagaland Post contacted NSCN (I-M) to seek comment on the report, NSCN (I-M) kilo kilonser Vikiye Sümi while not denying or admitting said: “Since it was reported by The Telegraph, their reporter will be in the better position to answer on this.”

When asked about the report of Prime Minister turning down the request to hold meeting with the NSCN (I-M) leaders, Vikiye said he was not aware, as he was yet to communicate with the top brass on the matter. “I can’t give a concrete answer without discussing the matter with the collective leadership…” Vikiye said.

He however added that NSCN (I-M) was already engaged in an official talk with the Government of India. 

With regards to some complaints against NSCN (I-M) functionaries, being involved in the 11-Northern Angami-II bye-elections, Vikiye said his office had already issued the directives of the collective leaders. He said “if anyone is found guilty, stern disciplinary action will be taken against those involved”.