DIMAPUR, MAY 11 (MExN): A meeting of the Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG) held on Friday, May 11 ended on a not so convincing note, it appears. The focus of the meeting, it was learned, was on the cease fire ground rules and the NSCN IM’s argument over the right to conduct armed patrols.
The Morung Express on Friday evening contacted the Chairman of the CFMG, Maj. Gen. (Retd) N. George and was queried on the outcome of the meeting. The recent May 9 standoff between the 32 Assam Rifles and armed cadres of the NSCN-IM in Peren district still fresh, the chairman was asked if the meeting was an immediate upshot of that incident. Downplaying any cause for alarm, the chairman said that the meet was a cordial affair; and there was “no issue on that at all”, he added referring to the May 9 incident. The meeting was due, which was scheduled to happen, only that a proper date was not arrived at, he said.
Asked to elaborate further on the details of the meeting, the CFMG chairman said that the ground rules of the ongoing ceasefire was at the core of discussions. Armed cadres of the NSCN-IM reportedly conducting patrol at a village falling under Jalukie sub-division had sparked off the May 9 standoff. And an off-shoot of that incident i.e. the NSCN-IM’s argument on the right to conduct patrols was the feature of the meeting.
The two sides differed on the matter which was eventually referred to the Centre. The chairman disclosed that the Ministry of Home Affairs was intimated right away on the subject of today’s discussions. Whatever may be the response of the MHA will be let known, he added.
CFMG convenor of the NSCN-IM, Vikiye Sumi alongwith his team represented the NSCN-IM. Besides, Maj. Gen (rtd) N. George, the government was represented by the state Home Commissioner, ADG (Ops), IG Assam Rifles and the CRPF.
