Dimapur, July 13 (MExN): The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN–IM) has condemned the actions of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Government of India (GoI), in attempting to summon its leaders to Indian courts. In the 19 years of ceasefire, recalled the MIP of the NSCN (IM) in a press release today, “the political talks between the GoI and the Nagas represented by NSCN where both the parties are giving their best efforts to come to its logical conclusion at the earliest time possible, it is disheartening to note that NIA had been playing a spoiled brat by going against the principle and the spirit of ceasefire agreed ground rules and the peace process.”
It noted that on several occasions NIA has summoned NSCN (IM) leaders to “their Court to which we have clearly made our point that we are not in a position to comply because legal entanglements must not come in the way of solution.”
The NSCN (IM) brought this up in the context of the “undue questioning” of Kishore Jeedung, a Steering Committee Member of the group on July 12 at 1:00 pm at his residence at Dhansiripar, Dimapur, by the NIA.
It informed that the team was led by one Dy. SP from Assam Branch who came along with other staff and with three Nagaland Police Personnel. They asked many personal questions as well as on matters concerning his service as a National Worker; “even though he was not physically harassed but nevertheless, it is mentally quite disturbing. The purpose of their visiting was not disclosed,” informed the press note.
The NSCN (IM) took this opportunity to remind that through more than 70 years of armed conflict in the Nagalim, “there are thousands of human rights violation of the Nagas committed by the Indian Army and the Indian leaders alike.” It asserted that if the NIA is justified to summon, interrogate, investigate or question any of the Naga Nationalists, then the Nagas also have traditional customary Courts that can, in much the same way, start summoning Indian Army personnel and Indian Agencies.
“If that were to happen it will certainly hamper the ongoing Indo-Naga political talks,” stated the political group. Therefore, the NSCN (IM) ‘strongly advised’ the NIA and the Assam Rifles not to “further indulge in illegal raid, abduction, summon, investigation etc. so that, the larger objective of achieving political solution is arrived at sooner than later.”
