Dimapur | December 19: Tension ran high today at Naharbari as the standoff between armed cadres of the NSCN Khaplang and the GPRN/NSCN, which started on Sunday, almost turned into a full scale gun battle. Gunshots broke the cold December morning, panicking nearby residents, who had to vacate their homes. The directions the shots were fired at could not be ascertained.
According to residents in the vicinity, the firing started around 6:00 am and continued at regular intervals till about 7:45am. It added to the already tense atmosphere prevailing since the previous evening. The tension in the air evident as families in the vicinity shifted to safer locations in the midst of gun toting cadres standing vigil in full public view, while security personnel patrolled the area.
Both sides withdrew only in the evening but not before exchanging a second round of gunfire which began around 3:45 pm, punctuated by two-three explosions. The explosions were caused by rocket propelled grenades, sources said. Till late evening there were no reports of any casualties.
It was only around 7:30pm when the tense atmosphere lightened a bit, after cadres of the GPRN/NSCN withdrew and the NSCN-K agreed to safe passage. It was the result of fervent appeals for restraint and peace made to both sides, led by the civil society and the district administration. Civil society organizations like Forum for Naga Reconciliation, Dimapur Naga Council, Naga Women Hoho, and GB/DBs were on the sport round the clock through the day.
Earlier in the morning, following the first round of gunfire was heard; the FNR led by its Convenor Rev. Dr. Wati Aier camped at the site holding white flags and appealing upon both sides for restraint. In the midst of gun battle, the FNR Convenor with the aid of a PA system implored the cadres to stop firing so that a FNR delegation could meet with them. Sporadic firing however continued. The FNR Convenor made another request asking the groups to respect the appeal and to cease shooting so that the FNR delegation could proceed towards them. When there was a lull in shooting, the FNR delegation carrying white flags along with the two Cease Fire Monitoring Group members went to the spot. By then GPRN/NSCN cadres had temporarily withdrawn from the area. FNR members briefly met leaders of the NSCN Khaplang. The guns went silent temporarily.
Meanwhile later in the morning, the district administration held an emergency security coordination meeting, which was attended by members of the civil society. Following the meeting, representatives from the civil society, led by the Dimapur Naga Council also met with NSCN-K leaders housed in the proposed sub-office.
Shooting however resumed in the late afternoon. FNR members were in the spot and were walking towards the proposed sub-office to meet leaders of the NSCN Khaplang when shooting started. Heavy firing continued at regular intervals. At about 5pm two loud explosions were heard with a long burst of shooting.
By evening news trickled in that the NSCN-K cadres had agreed to a call for ‘safe passage’. Superintendent of Police, Z. Mero confirmed that news. The SP disclosed that the cadres had agreed to withdraw and would be escorted till their camp at Suruhoto in Zunheboto. In the presence of Dimapur Naga Council President, Savi Liegise and his colleagues, Naga Women Hoho, Forum for Naga Reconciliation and other public organizations, the NSCN Khaplang cadres under safe passage left for their destination.
According to information received as of now, the tension began on Sunday following unconfirmed reports of armed NSCN-K cadres led by a top commander setting up a ceasefire office at a place in Naharbari, near Padum pukhri (pond) located alongside NH 29, which the GPRN/NSCN has opposed.
It has been confirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has given the green signal to the NSCN-K to set up a Ceasefire Supervisory Board sub-office in Dimapur. A fax dated December 19, a copy of which was shown to mediapersons by the district administration, was received today from the Union Home Ministry informing of this. The brief letter stated: “It is clarified that the sub-office shall be opened at a location which will be jointly agreed to by the Assam Rifles, the state government and the representative of the NSCN-K in the CFSB. This may kindly be brought to the notice of the NSCN-K.”
FNR appeals for calm, dialogue
The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has reaffirmed its appeal to all armed groups to restrain from resorting to violence as a means of settling issues that may arise between them. Speaking to the Morung Express, FNR Convenor Rev Dr Wati Aier reminded the Naga groups about the desire of the people for peace and reconciliation and appealed for calm and understanding. “The FNR will continue to work for Naga reconciliation. Wherever there is conflict, we request our armed groups to solve problems by sitting across the table and not by resorting to violent means”, Rev Aier said.
NSCN Khaplang condemns
The NSCN/GPRN Khaplang today condemned “the unprovoked firing incident by Khehoi campers in the morning and evening. This sort of immature approach exposed their insecurity and such activities are complete mockery of the entire peace and reconciliation process.”
In a statement issued by its MIP, the NSCN/GPRN Khaplang stated that the “longing of the Nagas for peace and amity that has been hard yearned has already been defiled and contaminated by the Khehoi campers.” It added that it is now left to the Nagas to judge as to which group is for peace and which groups is for war.
The MIP statement further made clear the intentions of the NSCN (K) coming down to Dimapur was to set up the CFSB office as per the approval of Government of India and to expedite the peace process. It asserted that “The office is not meant for war. If Khehoi group have respect for the Nagas, they should uphold the spirit of reconciliation and should not create unwarranted situation, especially during the festive season.”
