NSCN (IM) to take up violation of ceasefire with government of India

Kohima, May 4 (IANS): The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) said that violation of ceasefire ground rules by the security forces was broadly discussed in their meeting on Wednesday and it would take up the issue with the government in a meaningful manner in order to establish peaceful atmosphere for the Naga peace talks.

The NSCN (IM) in a statement said that new Convenor of Ceasefire Monitoring Cell, Eno K Mero took the stand to pursue any ceasefire violations by the security forces for peaceful Naga political talks.

Mero on Wednesday, in a meeting at Diphupar in Dimapur (Nagaland), took over the charge of Convenor of Ceasefire Monitoring Cell from Eno Kihoyi Swu.

Few organisational posts of the NSCN (IM) have been changed, the statement said. The NSCN (IM) and other outfits entered a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 1997 and since then, both sides had held more than 85 rounds of negotiations.

A Framework Agreement between the two was signed on August 3, 2015.

Meanwhile, Central government’s envoy A K Mishra visited Nagaland last week and met Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio; leaders of NSCN (IM); Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (NNPG); and the core committee on Naga political issues during his week-long stay in the north-eastern state.

Mishra, a former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau, was assigned with the Naga peace talks after transfer of Nagaland Governor Ravindra Narayan Ravi, who was the Centre’s interlocutor in the Naga peace talks for many years, to Tamil Nadu.

The Centre has been separately holding peace talks with the NSCN (IM) and eight other Naga groups, which came together a few years ago under the banner of WC-NNPG.

However, the NSCN (IM)’s insistence on a separate Naga flag and Constitution became a hurdle in reaching a final settlement to the Naga political issue.