NSCN (K) recommits to peace
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, March 27 2015 :
The NSCN-K has reiterated its commitment to maintain peace and continuation of ceasefire during a meeting between its Cease Fire Supervisory Board (CFSB) and the Government of India's Cease Fire Monitoring Group today at police complex, Chumukedima, Dimapur.
Speculations have been doing rounds that the cease fire agreement between NSCN (K) and the Government of India might not be extended after the current term expires on April 29 .
However, Wangtin Naga, NSCN-K's supervisor of CFSB interacting with media persons clarified that the ceasefire has not been abrogated.
While maintaining that the outfit is working for peace, Wangtin Naga said that the ceasefire will be extended on April 26, 2015.He said, "We are for peace.
Ceasefire and peace will continue." He also asserted that he is thinking of 20 lakh Naga people as well as Nagas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and added "We should not abandon peace" .
He, however, said that there are no specific demands from the Government of India by his outfit as the talk has not been started.
He also maintained that NSCN-K alone cannot talk because "it will be Nagas' talk" .
He added, "We will invite scholars, Church leaders, tribe leaders and it will be Nagas' talk.
If it is a failure it will be collective failure and if it is a success it will be a collective success" .
Government of India's CFMG chairman Lt Gen (Retd) NK Singh validated NSCN-K's commitment to the continuation of the ceasefire.
When queried if the ceasefire will continue, NK Singh maintained that ceasefire should be extended so that unnecessary insecurity does not set in.
"I don't see any major reasons for not extending the ceasefire with the NSCN-K," he added.
On the allegation that NSCN-K is behind the recent firing on security personnel in Kohima and bomb blast in Wokha, NSCN-K's CFSB member Tikhak said that his outfit is "reportedly/purportedly behind the attack but it is not ascertained.
It is not right to come to conclusions.
But if by any case NSCN-K was involved, we do not endorse such kind of acts." He further said that whatever problem it may be, it will be resolved through peace and dialogue.
While asserting to let the law take its own course of action and Tikhak said truth will be revealed.
"Peace is the only way to come to a solution.
We do not endorse any violence." Wangtin Naga also denounced the attack as "an act of betrayal and breach of trust.
"When we have ceasefire, how can we attack security forces ?" he questioned.
On the allegation that NCSN-K was behind the recent incidents, Wangtin said that it has not been ascertained as of now and added that it may also be the handiwork of others.
On the communication gap between the higher command and cadres of the outfit, Wangtin maintained that the working system might be different.
"However, we are always emphasizing on peace of Naga people.
We are trying to maintain the tranquility but there may be some who may not.
There might be some who do not like peace but time will tell.
Nagas want peace.
And we will continue to work for peace," he added.
The NSCN-K, during the meeting, is also said to have urged the CFMG to look into the cordoning of their designated camp in Mon district of Nagaland and also to sensitize the security forces.
CFMG chairman NK Singh also briefing the media persons after the meeting said that matter relating to recent incidents, particularly the firing incident in Kohima and bomb blast in Wokha, which have cast a shadow on the prevailing situation in Nagaland, was taken up with the NSCN-K.The CFMG has also discussed matters relating to kidnapping and extortion, which, the chairman said, the NSCN-K agreed to look into and take remedial measures.
On the re-occupation of designated camps in Mon and Suruhoto, which are presently being occupied by the security forces, NK Singh said that it is a bit too early to give any decision.
Decisions will be taken at an appropriate time, he added.
NSCN-K was represented by its supervisor Wangtin Naga and Tikhak while the CFMG was led by chairman Lt Gen (Retd) NK Singh.