Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 29
Extension of ceasefire between the Government of India and NSCN (K) will be signed Monday (April 30) as per discussions between the two parties held in Delhi on Saturday last. When contacted, a senior NSCN (K) leader from Delhi said that minor differences between the GoI and NSCN (K) have been ironed out in Saturday’s meeting and that both parties would sign the ceasefire extension, extended on a yearly basis.
While ceasefire between the Government of India and GPRN/NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) has been extended for another year on Friday last, extension of ceasefire between the Centre and NSCN (K) was yet to be finalized. The Ceasefire between GoI and the two Naga outfits, first entered into in 2001 and extended on yearly basis, was due to expire Saturday (April 28).
It was reported that Friday’s meeting between NSCN (K) and Centre’s representatives could not finalize on ceasefire extension due to differences of opinions on some issues. Reliable sources said that Indian representatives conveyed their displeasure at the NSCN (K) for signing a bilateral ceasefire agreement with Myanmar government. The Centre’s representatives had also reportedly insisted that the ‘chief of Naga army’ NSCN (K) should attend the meeting. The six-member NSCN (K) team is led by their CFSB Supervisor Lincoln.
Meanwhile, the Government of Nagaland has appealed to the Government of India to extend the ceasefire between the GoI and the NSCN (Khaplang). This was stated in a press note issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. “Though the NSCN (K) is in the process of ceasefire and political dialogue in Myanmar, it is imperative that the ceasefire in India has to be continued in order to give lasting peace and acceptable political solution a genuine opportunity”, stated the press note.
The State Government was of the view that the GoI was always aware of the presence of the NSCN (K) in Myanmar and had maintained ceasefire all these years and pointed out that it was necessary to extend the ceasefire so that the peace process is taken towards the right direction. “The State Government feels that the achievement of ceasefire and dialogue in Myanmar by the NSCN (K) does not mean that its ceasefire with the GoI should be abrogated. In fact, ceasefires on both sides of the international boundary will only strengthen the ceasefire and take the peace dialogue forward”, it stated.
