Visit Indian Travel Sites
Goa,
Kerala,
Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh,
Delhi,
Rajasthan,
Uttar Pradesh,
Himachal Pradesh,
Assam,
Sikkim,
Madhya Pradesh,
Jammu & Kashmir
Karnataka
|
Another Naga outfit signs ceasefire pact, but won't surrender its arms | The Kitovi-Khole faction of the Naga Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) has signed the ceasefire agreement with the Central Government, but refused to give up its arms before a final solution to the decades old Indo-Naga issue is reached. Addressing media here, N.Kitovi Zhimoni, the Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister)
of the Government's of the People's Republic of Nagaland (GPRN) -NSCN said: "We
are ready to resolve all issues peacefully with the GoI (Government of India)
within a democratic framework.” The year-long ceasefire came into effect from
April 28 and a formal announcement of the peace talks is expected soon. Supervisor
C. Singson and “Lt. Gen” N.B. Neokpao signed on behalf of the NSCN outfit, while
Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary (North East) in the Ministry of Home Affairs, signed
on behalf of the government. Earlier on Friday, Joint Secretary Singh revealed
that the Centre is positive about the outcome of the discussions that have taken
place so far. Zhimoni said: " The GPRN wants peace and is fully prepared for it,
but if a solution is not drawn, we will continue with our struggle.” Though the
faction did not reveal its demands, it hinted at bringing all Nagas living in
Manipur, Nagaland , Assam and Arunachal Pradesh under one political umbrella.
Zhimoni added that before starting talks, the faction would take people and civil
society into confidence, unlike other Naga outfits who had ignored the views of
their people and had not been transparent in their negotiations with the Central
Government. Though Thuingaleng Muivah and Issac Chisi Swu-led NSCN (IM) is conducting
talks with the government at the highest level, the Kitovi Khole faction has refused
to merge with them and demanded a separate platform for talks. The Kitovi-Khole
faction of the NSCN split from NSCN (Khaplang) in June last year. Their decision
to come forward for talks has opened a new peace front. "We took up arms to defend
our rights, but they resulted in a loss of lives and have not brought any solution,”
claimed Zhimoni. This agreement with Kitovi-Khole faction could have a major impact
on Naga politics as both the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) faction and the NSCN (Kitovi-Khole)
faction are now talking to the Centre. Only the NSCN (Khaplang) faction continues
to stay away, as it has not been able to renew a ceasefire agreement with the
Centre. Anil Bhat, an expert on the Northeast, said: “All these groups first need
to stop their arms and drugs supply rackets if they are willing to achieve peace
in the Northeast region.” He claimed that many of these groups are supplying arms
to Maoists and other Northeast insurgent groups.
|
|
|
|
|
|