DIMAPUR, May 16 (TNN): The ceasefire between NSCN (Khaplang) and the Myanmar government may not have gone down well with the Centre, but the militant outfit believes that it was a historic achievement for Nagas in Myanmar, who are now free to live in their own territory without fear of being attacked or harassed by the ruling junta. A six-member delegation of NSCN (K) led by Wangtin Naga held a meeting with a Myanmerese delegation and signed the ceasefire deal on April 8. The NSCN (K) delegation was received by Col Kyi Niang of Myanmar's ministry of border affairs and the Nagas of Myanmar.
In a telephonic conversation with TOI, Wangtin Naga said the Nagas have always wanted a bilateral ceasefire with Myanmar and the deal was the fruit of four years of hard work. He said the Nagas have achieved peace after six decades and the agreement has also made Myanmerese authorities realize that any confrontation would be futile. Claiming that there were no conditions in the agreement, the NSCN (K) leader said they have decided to open a ceasefire office in Khamti and a sub-office at Thamadi on the Indo-Myanmar border.
Wangtin said though Nagas are the dominant population in some districts in Myanmar, Sangiang and Kachin is yet to be returned to their people. He said: "Nagas have autonomy in Lahe, Layse and Nanyang in Sagaing region and we are looking for self-administration in more Naga-populated districts in Kachin." He also said mineral resources in Naga-dominated areas belong to the Nagas and should not be explored or exploited without their consent.
Talking about the achievements made by the bilateral ceasefire agreement with Myanmar, Wangtin said the Naga army will now have free movement in Naga-inhabited areas and location of military camps of both NSCN (K) and the Mynamarese Army has to be relooked at.
The Khaplang cadres, who are now free to move unarmed anywhere in Myanmar, also want self-administration in Naga areas of Mawlaik, Phongpyn and Homlin in Sagaing and Tanai (Teniang) and Shingbwiyang areas in Kachin state. "The ceasefire was on public demand. Unless the economy is developed, people will be doomed," said Wangtin. The Naga districts of Sagaing region, which has just one motorable road - the Ledo-Kunming Stilwell road built during World War II - are demanding connectivity and dirt roads are being built in Lahe, Shingbwiyang and Nanyang areas.
When asked about the role of Nagas in Myamar, he said the Myanmarese government was formed on January 5, 1948 but Nagas living in Myanmar did not become part of the government and had to face several hardships over the last 60 years.
He hoped the ceasefire brings development and peace to Naga-inhabited areas both in India and Myanmar. When pointed out that the Centre did not extend the ceasefire with NSCN (K) as they had entered into an agreement with Myanmar, Wangtin said it is wrong on the part of the Centre as the bilateral ceasefire with Myanmar has nothing to do with India.
