The Hindu : National : `NSCN factions must give up violence'

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Thursday, Mar 31, 2005

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National

`NSCN factions must give up violence'

By Iboyaima Laithangbam

IMPHAL, MARCH 30. The Naga Students' Federation has appealed to the two warring factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) to eschew the path of violence as the people of the State yearned for durable peace.

In a statement on Monday, the federation said the two factions had vitiated the peaceful atmosphere in the State. Non-governmental organisations, too, have appealed to the NSCN(I-M) and the NSCN(K) to desist from factional killings.

The factional violence has spilled over to the neighbouring States, causing concern to the State Governments. There are Naga villages in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, with specific areas under the control of either of the faction. There have been increasing reports of encounters in which several cadres have been killed or injured.

The worst-affected area is Tamenglong district in Manipur where there have been bloody clashes in the last two months.

As per the ceasefire agreement signed with the Centre, the cadres of both factions have been directed to stay in the designated camps in Nagaland. Even while the peace process is on, there are reports of armed militants raiding the camps and killing the inmates. Besides, there are also reports of exchange of fire and killing of abducted insurgents.

The Konyak Nagas in Nagaland are not happy with the ongoing violence. In a statement, the Konyak Union has questioned the Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio's claim that the law and order situation in the State was satisfactory. It said that since both factions of the NSCN were flouting the ceasefire rules, there was total failure of law and order. The NSCN(K) is trying to make political capital out of the latest round of peace talks between the NSCN(I-M) and the Centre.

Sepchrem Sangtam, deputy minister in charge of information and publicity, Government of People's Republic of Nagaland, said that Isak Chisi Swu, chairman of the NSCN(I-M) had distanced himself from the talks and Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary, alone had participated. The talks were between Tangkhul and the Indian Government and the Nagas were not involved, he claimed. Mr. Muivah is a Tangkhul tribal from Ukhrul district of Manipur.

Opposition to demand

Elected representatives, NGOs and students' bodies in the north-east have strongly reacted to the NSCN(I-M)'s demand for the unification of Naga-inhabited areas with Nagaland. The issue is on the top of the agenda in the talks between the Indian Government and the Naga outfit. In view of the opposition by the N-E States, there was no tangible progress in the last round of talks. The Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, has said that not an inch of land in the State would be ceded. Most of the elected representatives in Arunachal Pradesh have taken a similar stand.

The Manipur Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi, has said that no community should talk of disintegration of Manipur, which has a written history of 2000 years. Those who wanted to join hands with another State should leave Manipur bag and baggage.

The All-Manipur Students' Union had said some years ago that there was no Naga community in Manipur. The tribes were known by their original names and the word "Naga" was entered in the electoral rolls only in 1971.

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