While the world battles the corona virus pandemic, and lockdown enforced in almost all parts of the world, the Indian Army (Assam Rifles) and Manipur police, are recklessly going belligerent to throttle the NSCN in Manipur on the pretext that there is no Indo-Naga ceasefire in Naga areas of Manipur state. They have also taken the antiquated stand that there is no NSCN designated camp in Ukhrul district. What is, however, alarming is the reason behind the bellicose stand taken by the Manipur government. There is every indication that ‘carte blanche’ order has been given by the Home Ministry, Government of India (GoI) in dealing with the NSCN under the so-called Unified Command of Manipur of state police and security forces. This Unified Command was allegedly formed recently with the direction of the Home Ministry, Government of India to crush the aspirations of self-determination movement of the people in Jammu & Kashmir and Manipur by the State and Para-military forces.
What is blatantly seen in Kashung-Bungdung under Kasom Khullen Block, Ukhrul district, is the ill-timing of the unwarranted provocation against the Tangkhul Naga people when every single person is engaged in maintaining social distancing protocol in the midst of lockdown as laid down by the World Health Organization (WHO). NSCN deplores such thoughtless and deliberate violation of the infectious Covid-19 protocol. This inglorious act of the Manipur state government against the Nagas will go down into history as an act against humanity. Thus, the intrusion of Indian Army and Manipur state police forces into the Kashung-Bungdung areas that are strictly abiding the Covid-19 protocol has put the villagers at great risk of exposing them to the possibility of asymptomatic Corona virus carriers. Such a blatant violation of Covid-19 protocols when the whole world is gripping with the spread of Covid-19 pandemic is nothing but highly irresponsible and condemnable by all who share the fear of what is happening to the world today.
With regards to NSCN Designated Camp in Ukhrul, the then Chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) Lt. Gen. R.V. Kulkarni (Retd.) in his letter (dated 06.02.2007) to Shri Naveen Verma, Joint Secretary (NE), Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, approved Khangkhui-Shirui forest area as NSCN designated camp. The present Phungtha Brigade Camp is the alternative arrangement after Naga Army vacated Khangkhui-Shirui forest area. The stand of the Unified Command is that there is no ceasefire with the NSCN in Naga areas of Manipur state.
In the context of this background, the Centre should rein Manipur Government from going against what has been officially sanctioned. The 24 AR personnel who are in the thick of the storm in the present standoff with the women folks of the area should also learn to draw the line and not go overboard to bring about acrimonious situation. Earlier, AR attempted to attack NSCN camp at Kangoi under Kasom Khullen block, Ukhrul district but women organizations of the area foiled their plan. NSCN cadres, however, shifted their camp gracefully to avoid aggravating the situation.
NSCN is however, baffled at the inconsistency on the part of the Government of India in managing the Indo-Naga political peace process. We are compelled to take assessment of the GoI of their seriousness in finalizing the political negotiation when the government machineries are behaving in total contravention of the spirit of peace talks.
Placed under such unwarranted situation we do not see any political wisdom in this kind of avoidable confrontation as no party stands to harvest any military or political benefit. Both the party will be dancing to the tune of those elements who are hell- bent in jeopardizing the hard earned Indo-Naga political negotiation to nothingness. Sincerity should be demonstrated in realistic manner as nothing matters more than to diminish trust deficit in this crucial juncture. Kuknalim!
Issued by MIP, NSCN/GPRN