EMN
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 29
Responding to the NSCN (IM) press briefing of August 27, Chairman CFMG expressed surprise at their reaction to his letter intimating that carriage of weapons in Noksen A/C is not allowed from August 28 till the results are officially declared. A press release said that the election period restriction on arms in that area is for the public good, and one of the measures usually invoked for people to vote without fear, and in a free and fair manner. Construing this information as a violation of Cease Fire Ground Rules is unfortunate. It is also unfortunate that the NSCN (IM) has termed the intimation as arbitrary and vowed to never accept it.
The NSCN (IM) Convenor had stated that “any law of the land was not applicable to the NSCN (IM).” Chairman CFMG says that in the context of this by-election, the laws of the land apply to the 51 Noksen A/C areas. It is under these laws that the election is being held.
He further said that constitutional rules and measures involved in elections have to be notified and followed in letter and spirit in the area where elections are held. The rules laid down by the Election Commission as per the Constitution are required to be promulgated.
As brought out by the Convenor on August 27, CFGRs (ceasefire ground rules) with NSCN (K) state that Security Forces will retain the right to enforce measures necessary to uphold the laws of the land and prevent any disturbance to peace.
Chairman CFMG has pointed out that the CFGRs with NSCN (IM) state that the Army, Parliamentary forces and the police will act in an impartial and unbiased manner against any group causing public disturbance or when there is imminent danger to public safety or peace. The wordings have some differences and also similarities, hence interpretations may differ.
He added that it would be unfair to blame the CFMGs for arrests outside Nagaland, of those suspected to be imvolved in murder of a Member of Parliament, or supplying weapons and ammunition to militant groups involved in anti-India activities.
On the point of taking up issue with the Ground Rules Review Committee (GRRC) concerning differences in interpretation of the ground rules, the NSCN (IM) in their press briefing on August 27 had regretted that the Chairman CFMG had failed to do so. Chairman has clarified that in spite of the fact that senior NSCN(IM) functionary VS Atem himself being a member of GRRC could take it up, Chairman CFMG during the CFMG meeting on July 15 had agreed to forward whatever points for CFGR review the NSCN(IM) wanted to put across.
For this to be done, the Convener NSCN (IM) was told at the meeting by the Chairman to give their points in writing in a few days. Nothing has been given by NSCN (IM) to the chairman CFMG till date; hence it is unfair to blame the Chairman for not having done anything in this matter of review of interpretation of ground rules.
The Chairman hoped that there would be better mutual understanding amongst all concerned, especially in matters of State.
