Dimapur, April 30 (MExN): After more than 21 years of “fruitful political negotiations” between the Government of India (GoI) and NSCN (IM), and on the “threshold of signing the final agreement,” what is happening at Sihai Khunuo in Ukhrul district is “extremely unfortunate.”
“This is not the right time for the Indian security forces to display such hostility that will lead to brinkmanship. Such an absurdity is against the spirit of Ceasefire Ground Rules,” stated the NSCN (IM)’s Ministry of Information & Publicity (MIP) in a press release today.
It pointed out that in every Ceasefire Ground Rule Review Meeting held occasionally between the representatives of the GoI and NSCN, “both the entities recognized that there is the need to maintain mutual trust, understanding and respect.”
During the last Ceasefire Ground Rule Review Committee meeting held at Chümoukedima on June 8, 2018, the GoI team was led by Rina Mitra, Special Secretary (IS) and NSCN team led by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) V.S. Atem.
“In the meeting both the parties agreed to take all possible measures to improve the ground situation considering the importance of the progress of the ongoing Indo-Naga political negotiation and respecting the historic August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement signed between the GoI and NSCN,” informed the MIP.
In keeping with the spirit, NSCN has “maintained the stand to uphold the hard earned progress of the Indo-Naga political negotiation.” However, the NSCN (IM) maintained that the Assam Rifles “look down upon NSCN as its bête noire and keep on alienating them without following any ethical rules connected with the spirit of Ceasefire Ground Rule.”
“Even if there is misunderstanding that may have come up because of different interpretation of Ceasefire Ground Rules there is mechanism to follow to redress any ceasefire ground rule violation,” noted the NSCN (IM) explaining that the CFMG should have been informed “instead of going headlong to create war-like situation and resorted to psychological warfare by using local villagers as human shield.”
Furthermore, this is a time of cultivation in the hills and the village being placed under captivity has thrown their life out of order.
Designated camps & ceasefire interpretation
The MIP press release recalled that Khangkhui-Shirui forest area designated camp which was allotted in 2007 by the then Chairperson of CFMG Gen. Kulkarni was vacated in 2009. In 2010, mutual understanding was made with Maj. Gen. Gurung in respect of the noted camps at Chatric and Grihang. It existed for nearly ten years, informed the NSCN (IM).
Recently, Chatric camp was also vacated saying” there is no authorized designated camp.”
“Now,” it stated, “Sihai Khunuo camp is targeted.”
“This camp, though it may be short of having the tag ‘designated camp’ has never created law and order problem in the area. Even the nearby villages would swear for it,” asserted the NSCN (IM).
On March 1, 2019, at the CFMG official meeting, Col. Joshi GS of IGAR stated to the NSCN (IM) that “there is no designated camp in Ukhrul District.”
“Such a misplaced interpretation of ceasefire ground rules at the whims of any officer is a clear violation of ceasefire ground rules itself,” noted the group, adding that this has “made a damnation of the very purpose of signing Indo-Naga Ceasefire in 1997 to pave the way for creating conducive atmosphere for political negotiation.”
Sihai Khunou situation created by Assam Rifles B. Range (10 Sector, Brigade) is “uncalled for” noted the NSCN (IM), albeit hoping that the CFMG Chairperson exercises “sanity to designate any suitable place for the NSCN cadres to shift and put an end to the war-like situation. NSCN cadres simply cannot be made to vacate without offering them an alternative location.”
'Ukhrul is not Kashmir'
“Ukhrul District is not Kashmir, though Kashmir like situation has been created,” stated the NSCN (IM).
It informed that “three helicopters along with drone are keeping surveillance over the camp, there is heavy deployment of latest weapons including artillery, these are openly displayed in the local ground and all sorts of weapons are stationed in the heart of the village.” The local village ground, it said, has been occupied for display of weapons and para commandos transported to the village, “armed to the teeth.”
This, the NSCN (IM) affirmed, has been done to “generate panic and fear among the villagers.”
The MIP press release stated that the NSCN (IM) is “not a terrorist organization” warranting this heavy deployment.
“In the prevailing ceasefire period where much has been achieved during the 21 years of political negotiations, it is very unbecoming of the Assam Rifles to keep on chasing the NSCN cadres. There is much to celebrate for the Assam Rifles once the permanent peace is established after the final political settlement is signed. So the question is why always rub the NSCN on the wrong side?” wondered the NSCN (IM) in conclusion.
