Khango-led NSCN offers olive branch for peace talk with India

Dimapur, Dec. 7 (EMN): In a move that could expedite the ongoing peace talks for a permanent solution to the Naga political issue, the NSCN (K) group led by Khango Konyak has decided to renew the abrogated ceasefire with the government of India after extensive consultations with the non-government organisations and civil society organisations in Nagaland during the last one month.

The NSCN (K) abrogated the ceasefire with the GoI in March 2015, 15 years after it signed the truce. Several violent encounters took place between the faction and the Indian army aftermath the fallout.

“Keeping in view the appeal by these organisations and positive response by the GoI to the initiative, NSCN/GPRN has resolved to revoke the earlier decision of unilateral abrogation of ceasefire with immediate effect,” read a statement issued by NSCN (K) chairman and president Khango Konyak, and general secretary Isak Sumi.

“Therefore we expect GoI to respond positively by honouring our decision to revive ceasefire in the interest of peace in Nagaland and Naga people in general,” added the statement.

It may be mentioned that the Khango-led NSCN (K) had earlier last month expressed its willingness to resume the abrogated ceasefire and pursue the Naga political issue with the GoI.

The Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF) said that the outfit had asked the federation to pursue the GoI to enter into a ceasefire with the group at the earliest but on the condition that ‘lift the ban imposed on NSCN and removal of terrorist tag, rescind the bounties placed on NSCN leaders, repeal AFSPA/DAA on the enforced Naga areas, and unconditional release of its cadres arrested after the abrogation of ceasefire and undergoing trials or serving sentences in different prison across the state/country.’

Responding to the demands, interlocutor of Naga peace process R.N. Ravi told NGBF that GoI “never abrogated the ceasefire with NSCN (K)” and that the GoI welcomes the group to the peace talk anytime. He added the Indian government had “no objection for NSCN (K) to maintain their entity” and that ban on the group, terrorist tag and bounties on its leaders will be automatically removed once it comes into peace talk. However, he asserted that “India has a commitment to solve the Naga issue with one comprehensive solution,” so there cannot have many agreements.

NGBF said that the NSCN (Khongo group) had on Nov. 2 accepted the conditions set by the GoI and that it had handed over the acceptance letter to the government for further process.