Chauhan’s tenure as Ceasefire Monitoring Group chairman ends; no clue about his successor

Says his job was to keep peace and had nothing to do with the Indo-Naga political talks

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 28 (EMN): Two years after being placed in the hot seat, the chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Group/Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFMG/CFMB), Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Shokin Chauhan vacated his position on Friday.

The former director general of Assam Rifles was appointed the chairman of CFMG/CFSB on August 16, 2018. 

Interacting with journalists in Kohima on his final working day, Chauhan reflected on “very positive” two years of his tenure.

“I can’t think of anything negative. This has been such a wonderful experience and I go with a lot of happiness,” he said.

When asked if the Naga political groups (NPGs) violated the ceasefire ground rules during his tenure, he admitted that they had their own issues. However, he added that the groups would apologise if they had committed something wrong or have disturbed anybody.

Therefore, the groups did not “impair my relationship” in any way, he said.

He explained that his job was to keep peace and had nothing to do with the Indo-Naga political talks. His brief was to ‘keep peace’, while the interlocutor could get to the ‘business’.

“And I kept peace. I didn’t get involve with anybody. I have nothing to do with anyone saying anything to me,” Chauhan maintained.

According to him, he never saw his assignment as a ‘conflict job’ but rather to help and assist.

Explaining his dealings in terms of ceasefire monitoring, Chauhan said that he would help the Naga groups understand where they went wrong.

At times, the Assam Rifles/Indian army and the groups had complaints about each other; but he would sit with them, listen to their complaints and resolve the issues accordingly.

Although, they argued over matters, they would come to a point of agreement at the end of the day, he added.

‘In this way, both the parties started to understand each other. The suspicion that existed earlier between the (Naga) groups and armies, reduced. They started meeting each other and take a photograph after every meeting. In this way, the need to use violence reduced,’ he shared.

Chauhan said that he did not consider his job as that of a ‘tough headmaster or a tough guy with a stick’.

“I looked at it by the fact that how could I keep peace and how could things remain okay and how best I can guide the groups,” he added.

It was during his tenure that the three Naga groups — NSCN (K), NSCN (R) and NSCN (U) — had a joint meeting for the first time in November 2019, Chauhan said.

‘Everyone was apprehensive about the meeting but gradually, the suspicion between us and the groups started to go away,’ he said. 

Chauhan went on to claim that not one violent or firing incident was reported in the span of two years. “I can’t think of a time in Nagaland where it has been like that,” he added.

According to him, the last incident in which armed Naga groups had fired upon the Assam Rifles was on August 7, 2018, before he assumed his role as CFMG/CFSB chairman.

There has been no case of extortion during his tenure, he claimed.

Chauhan said that no one has reported to him of any such activities, even after his meeting with the Public Action Committee, a mass-based organisation that spearheaded an anti-extortion campaign in the state.

He added that no complaint was received concerning children being forcibly taken for recruitment by the Naga groups.

When asked who will assume the post of chairman after him, Chauhan said that he had “no clue”.

“As of now I don’t know who is coming after me. I know my tenure ends today, so I will be leaving soon,” he said.

While sharing his experience with the locals, he said that he took great pride in being here in Nagaland. “You have a wonderful culture and I have so much to learn from you,” he said.

Chauhan also expressed belief that the future for the Naga people is very bright. “Don’t be insecure,” he said.

He added that there are so many memories, which are not pleasant for the Nagas. ‘But one needs to forgive each other and move forward and not hold onto the past,’ he shared.

Chauhan and his wife have been regularly providing relief materials to the old age home at Meriema. He will soon be leaving for Pune, and intends to start a Northeast centre in future to help NE people in distress in cities like Mumbai, Pune and Delhi.