Naga peace process hit by NSCN(I-M) duality

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On January 10, 2012, NSCN(I-M) chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah were on their way from their camp at Hebron to Swu’s hometown Zunheboto in a convoy of about 70 vehicles when they were stopped and prevented from going further by Assam Rifles personnel. Expressing anger over the incident, former “military chief” of NSCN(I-M) V.S. Atem said in a press conference later in Dimapur that such restriction by ministry of home affairs amounted to violation of ground rules of the ceasefire.

“The Government of India wants to solve the Naga political problem. The Nagas want solution. However, if we don’t meet our people for consultation how can we move forward in solving the problem ?” fumed Atem.
Meanwhile, Wati Aier, convenor of Forum for Naga Reconciliation conveyed this news to John Sundquist, member of UK-based Naga Conciliation Group and Quakers Friends Society and complained about “massive deployment of Indian Army near Hebron Camp which created difficulties for movement of NSCN(I-M) cadres to and from the Orthodox Theological Seminary”. Aier further requested Sundquist to issue a statement to media in the name of groups such as “Friends of the Nagas” or “Naga Solidarity Group”, on the situation in Nagaland and the restrictions imposed on the Naga leadership being “undemocratic and contrary to the ceasefire agreement”.
The NSCN(I-M) has not only been trigger-happy but also very “trigger-hungry”, so to speak.
The outfit has been aggressively trying to procure weapons, making mockery of peace process and the ceasefire ground rules that expose its duality and deviousness. The outfit is actively pursuing acquisition of sophisticated Chinese weapons for its armoury and selling to Naxals as it continues speaking in different tongues in New Delhi and Nagaland.
On January 31, Swu issued a statement at the annual NSCN(I-M) ceremony in Nagaland, stating: “The integration of Nagaland is our birthright…. Every Naga is expected to participate in our struggle for the integration of Nagalim. “
On February 6, director general of Assam Rifles, Lt. Gen. Rameshwar Roy, talking to reporters on the sidelines of a visit to Sainik School, Pangei, admitted to regular violations of ceasefire ground rules by NSCN(I-M) cadres. He said, militants flouting the ground rules have been booked and handed over to the law enforcement agencies as the paramilitary cannot act directly and the established democratic set of laws have to be followed. NSCN(I-M) cadres were accused of firing, abduction and intimidation in favour of candidates belonging to the NPF during Manipur Assembly elections held on January 28. In February 2012, Assam Rifles arrested six cadres of NSCN(I-M) during the raid at the house of one “major” Yimkachang of the outfit at Yimyu Ward, Mokokchung district. Three .22 revolvers and two pistols were seized from them.
On February 16, former Union home secretary G.K. Pillai is reported to have said in an interview, “all have to endorse the agreement, from the gaon burhas (village headmen) to civil society groups... none should be able to turn around and say after some years that they were kept in the dark and hence would not accept the agreement.” On the talks with the NSCN(I-M), dragging since 1997, he said that a settlement could be expected later in 2012. Considering all ground realities, that sounds rather optimistic.
Mr Pillai’s further said, “There was evidence that insurgents from Northeast were meeting Chinese intelligence officials regularly in Yunnan (China) and Nepal. We tracked top NSCN arms procurer Anthony Shimray who had ordered a massive supply of weapons. The procedures involved in shipment, export orders, regulatory compliance, etc. are impossible without China’s involvement.”
On February 10, it was reported that Anthony Shimray, “Head of Foreign Affairs of the NSCN(I-M)” and nephew of Muivah, was produced before the special court of the National Intelligence Agency at Patiala House, New Delhi, for his role in negotiating with Chinese intelligence agencies for large supplies of weapons.
Several Naga civil society groups in a joint representation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urged for immediate release of Shimray in “greater interest of peace and respect for his rights and dignity”.
On January 25, 2011, Wang Qing, a Chinese spy disguised as a TV reporter, was arrested and deported after she reportedly visited the headquarters of the NSCN(I-M). The outfit has also been interfering in Arunachal Pradesh’s political affairs. It played a major role in toppling former chief minister Jarbom Gamlin last year.
The NSCN(I-M) forced at least five Congress legislators to desert Mr Gamlin, who shortly afterwards resigned after completing just 180 days in office.
If NSCN(I-M)’s role in two blockades in Manipur, extortion and violence are examples of its disruptive activities within the country, its contacts with both Chinese and Pakistani intelligence agencies are serious threat to national security. Need it be emphasised that New Delhi must do much, much more than it has done till now.

Anil Bhat, a retired Army officer, is a security and defence analyst based in New Delhi