'K' to sign 'cease-fire' with Myanmar
"What autonomy do Nagas want more than they have received during 25 years of Tangkhul CM in Manipur": Khaplang
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Kohima, April 17 2012:
NSCN (K) is all set to sign a bilateral cease-fire with the Myanmar government in the later part of this month.
This is perhaps the first sign of the positive development to the long drawn "Naga-Burma" political issue emerging out of the junta backed democratically elected Myanmar government.
NSCN (K) sources revealed that top leaders from the outfit have left its Council Headquarters (CHQ) located in Myanmar where a meeting will be held on April 20 to work out strategies and modalities for setting up ceasefire ground rules with the Myanmar government.
Chairman of NSCN (K) S.S Khaplang, who will also attend the proposed meeting at Central Head Quarters (CHQ), will be attended among others by senior leaders--Kughalu Mulatonu and Wangtin Naga.
The outfit will also discuss setting up of offices in Nagaland state and in Myanmar as well.
This development comes in the wake of GPRN/NSCN led by "gen" Khole and Kitovi Zhimomi, who have all the while alleged S.S Khaplang of being more concerned with politics in Myanmar than in Nagaland.
GPRN/NSCN has also accused their erstwhile chairman of being incommunicado to the Naga issue "here" to back certain candidates as Member of Parliaments to represent the Nagas "there" in Myanmar parliament.
Incidentally, NSCN (K) will ink further extension of cease-fire with the Government of India which was signed April 28 last year and sources said the modalities of cease-fire agreement with the Myanmar government also will be completed before April 28 .
Khaplang's envoy Kughalu Mulatonu told this correspondent over phone that he and few leaders have left for Myanmar via Changlang district in Arunachal Pradesh, another group entered Myanmar via Moreh in Manipur.
Mulatonu said that Khaplang will not meet the Myanmar officials in the aftermath of the meeting at CHQ but rather will appoint a "key person" to negotiate on his behalf during political talks with Myanmar government.
Asked on the modalities of the cease-fire agreement and whether the issue of sovereignty will top the agenda, the NSCN (K) leader said this gesture of Myanmar indicates the keenness of Myanmar government to resolve the Naga issue.
He, however, said the issue of sovereignty will be discussed in due course of the political talks.
There has been cessation of violence between the NSCN (K) and Myanmar forces after the country's general elections in 2010 where the government granted autonomy to the Naga-dominated Sagaing division.
On the recent developments in Manipur where different organizations are at loggerheads over possible outcome of NSCN (I-M)-Government of India talks, Mulatonu said that his organization will not be a part of any negotiated settlement arising out of "reconciliation" but will pursue the desired demand for Naga sovereignty.
The senior NSCN (K) leader warned United Naga Council (UNC) against creating any flare-up in the Naga-Meitei relationship stating that "what autonomy do the Nagas want more than they have received during twenty five years of Tangkhul Chief Minister in Manipur" adding that the NSCN (I-M)-Government of India talks will prove "futile" .
Mulatonu said the bilateral cease-fire with Government of India will continue but the "actions of Indian security forces" will be under "review" adding that the "low profile and patience" of NSCN (K) had sent a wrong impression to India and this has made her sponsor anti-NSCN groups.
On reports of Khole and Kitovi preparing to begin talks with the Government of India, the NSCN (K) belittled the rival faction saying the proposed talks would be a futile exercise, as the group did not have enough political base to negotiate with the centre.
It may be mentioned that Myanmar government has in the recent months signed provisional cease-fires with several armed ethnic groups as part of political reform in the country.
Conflicts between Yangon and rebels from the various ethnic minority groups have flared sporadically over the decades since the country gained independence from Britain in 1948 .
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