Dimapur, January 14 (MExN): The visit of NSCN/GPRN leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah to Zunheboto district has been “deferred” after the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, reportedly clamped conditions if its leaders are to go ahead with the itinerary, which the NSCN/GPRN rejected.
On Saturday, NSCN/GPRN chairman, Isak Chishi Swu, and general secretary, Th. Muivah, along with their entourage consisting of more than fifty vehicles had to return to their headquarters Camp Hebron from Bade village, some 20 km from the camp on the outskirt of Dimapur. According to a note issued by the MIP today, it stated that “The itinerary of the NSCN’s Leadership to Zunheboto has been deferred on account of the following untenable conditions laid down by the Government of India and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) through its CFMG signed by Col. Rajwant Singh Colonel General Staff for Officiating Chairman.”
According to the MIP the four conditions laid down by the GoI: “NSCN (IM) leaders will travel without weapons; personal security guards shall not carry weapons even in concealed manner; number of vehicle not to exceed twenty (and) leaders will not hold any public meeting or press conference.”
The MIP stated “We are extremely shocked by the immature policy of the GOI when the NSCN is holding serious political negotiation to end the more than six decades of conflict. We seriously question the stand of the GOI and the MHA.” The position taken by the ministry has “nakedly exposed the true color of the GOI” and a “big question” on their sincerity in finding an early and honorable political solution.” The MIP condemned the ‘provocative decision’ of the Government of India to prevent the visit of the chairman and general secretary to Zunheboto.
“Lasting political solution can be arrived at only through genuine democratic process of involving the people. Therefore, we question the deliberate strategy of the GOI to exclude the Naga people from the peace process and that certainly will have grave ramifications,” the MIP stated. “Failing to understand and value the steps taken by the Nagas to seek peaceful political solution to the decades old political conflict, we observe, is a serious political bankruptcy within the Indian leadership”
The NSCN/GPRN through its MIP thanked “the Sumi people including the Sumi Hoho, student communities and Church fraternity for their earnest effort to welcome the Collective Leadership, Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary, Th. Muivah and their entourage.”
It stated that “We learnt that you have given your utmost efforts. We are sincerely moved. We thank you, the Sumi people. We will not fail to come and we will not leave you behind in the final political solution.”
Earlier in the day, with last minute negotiations for clearance failing to make any headway, the NSCN/GPRN convoy which halted for hours near Chakhesang Baptist Church, Bade, finally headed back to the camp around 3.30 pm. Some three kilometers away from where the NSCN/GPRN convoy halted, hundreds of security personnel including Assam Rifles, CRPF and Nagaland Police positioned themselves at the bridge and adjacent jungle between Urra village and Bade village, to prevent the NSCN/GPRN convoy from proceeding any further.
The area resembled a conflict zone as the Assam Rifles put up vehicle blockade near the bridge and security personnel frisked every vehicle and passengers. Most of the personnel security personnel wore bullet proof vest and some were also seen carrying 2 inch mortars.
The NSCN/GPRN leaders were scheduled to leave for Zunheboto on Friday but had to defer the itinerary as the MHA did not give the clearance. There is visible exasperation on the NSCN/GPRN side as earlier too in May 2010, Muivah was barred by Manipur government to visit his native village in Ukhrul district, Manipur.
Meanwhile, sources said that the NSCN/GPRN has convened a highest level meeting of the group on Sunday to deliberate on the latest situation, one that may have wide ramifications for the peace process.
