In a press briefing at Dimapur on 10 Feb the NSCN(IM) had levelled several allegations against Chairman CFMG. Details of the press briefing were published by newspapers of Nagaland and others on subsequent days.
It is amazing and ironical that the NSCN(IM) is accusing the Chairman CFMG of trying to sabotage and derail the peace process between NSCN(IM) and Govt of India when he is in no way involved in the talks at the highest levels in New Delhi. NSCN(IM) has also alleged that Chairman CFMG has some vested motives. Chairman NK Singh only motives and desire are to see genuine peace and good law & order in Nagaland, common people free from the fear of the gun, and a security environment conducive to encouraging increased economic activities and local employment.
NSCN(IM) has stated that the 'chairman is a trouble creator,' does only fault finding and creates issues out of nothing. It is an unfortunate and misplaced statement because whenever some trouble (violation of Cease Fire Ground Rules) occurred the Chairman had to take cognisance of it and take appropriate action. And this would have created some discomfort for the perpetrators of the trouble/violation, but it is not the Chairman who created the trouble in the first instance. Chairman has a mandate as per the Cease Fire agreement and that is what he is following. There is no unnecessary fault-finding.
Pointing out CFGR violations cannot be construed as obstructionist and hostile as alleged by NSCN(IM). The job of the CFMG is to monitor the Cease Fire, and see that the CFGRs arc followed in letter and spirit. The NSCN(IM) must honour the Cease Fire Ground Rules (CFGRs) which they had agreed to abide by. This would also remedy the perceived deterioration in the Cease Fire situation alluded to by NSCN(IM) and help towards improving mutual understanding as mentioned by the Convenor of NSCN(IM) within the parameters of the CFGRs. Perhaps with some unknown intent the NSCN(IM) has alleged that the latest stand-off between Assam Rifles and NSCN(IM) in Mon district was the 'handiwork of the CMG Chairman'. The truth is that the stand-off had already started on 7 Feb, whereas it was only on 8 Feb that the Chairman was informed and came into the picture while he was out of Nagaland for a few weeks.
On 08 Feb Chairman CFMG was informed by Convenor CFMG (Govt of India) about NSCN(IM) having set up a camp at Neitong (Mon district) comprising 6-7 thatched huts and about 30 cadres. Chairman had it conveyed to the NSCN(IM) that since the camp was not in the current list of designated camps it must be vacated by the NSCN(IM). Statement of Convenor CFMC of NSCN(IM) that the camp was approved in 2004, or that it was in the process of approval in MHA is misleading. Quite far away from Neitong a camp had been proposed in Nokyan in 2004 but was not occupied, and subsequently cancelled/denotified in July 2010, almost six years ago. NSCN(lM) would be well aware of this because a copy of the denotification letter was endorsed to NSCN(IM) also in July 2010. Its recent setting up of unauthorised camp at Neitong and concentrating armed cadres there was obviously a violation of the CFGRs which is why NSCN(M) was asked to vacate the said camp.
The NSCN(IM) has appreciated the good gestures of the Indian Army authorities to put off the stand-off, and said "who created the problem?" To this question the Chairman CFMG is very clear that it was not he who created the problem. People concerned may carry out their own introspection.
NSCN(IM) has accused the Chairman of ordering frisking and raids on residences of members by Assam Rifles. Such actions are undertaken by the forces based on their own inputs and Chairman CFMG has not ordered a single one of them, neither does his mandate permit him to do so. The accusation is totally baseless.
As part of their assistance to various villages, Assam Rifles had planned to set up some solar lighting in Beisumpuikam village in Feb-Mar 2015. This involved movement of some vehicles with solar equipment accompanied by Assam Rifles. Due to alignment of the public road, these vehicles had to pass close to Hebron Camp. As provided for in the CFGRs the NSCN(IM) was informed that such a movement would take place. However, due to resistance from NSCN(IM) and to avoid creating further tension the Assam Rifles at the last minute decided not to go ahead with the solar lighting of Beisumpuikam village. In this matter the involvement of office of Chairman CFMG was only of coordination between both sides. Accusing Chairman CFMG of ordering Assam Rifles to go past the NSCN(IM) gate at Hebron is baseless.
NSCN(IM) has accused Chairman CFMG of showing lack of concern by failing to force Assam Rifles to return Rs. 3 lakhs seized from a cadre on 05 May 2014 in Dhansiripar area. While the Convenor of NSCN(IM) said the money was for their Mess, the Assam Rifles maintained that it was seized along with extortion slips and incriminating documents and therefore had to be dealt with as per their procedures.
NSCN(IM) has stated that Chairman CFMG has been writing letters to Govt of India. The work of Chairman CFMG entails interaction & correspondence on Cease Fire security related matters with various authorities/entities like NSCN, State Govt, Govt of India, Nagaland Police, IGAR(N) and HQ 3 Corps. The NSCN(IM) also corresponds and interacts with Govt of India and others like HQ 3 Corps as mentioned by NSCN(IM) Convenor in connection with the latest stand-off in Mon district. So there is nothing extraordinary if CFMG Chairman's job entails some correspondence with Govt of India which is one of the signatories to the Cease Fire agreement.
NSCN(IM) has lamented the low frequency of CFMG meetings. These meetings are held at varying frequencies. There is no bar on any side to ask for a meeting. However, whenever some incident occurs, observations are conveyed at the earliest through letters/email. In the recent past a meeting of the CFMG was proposed to be held in November 2015 before the festive season, but that was not found suitable by the NSCN(IM). Efforts are made every few months and meetings held when feasible for all stakeholders.
In the interests of peace and a conducive environment, Chairman CFMG once again appeals to the NSCN(IM) to abide by and honour the Cease Fire Ground Rules in letter and spirit.
NK Singh, Lt. Gen (Retd) Chairman, CFMG
