‘The Status quo is not in the interest of anybody’
Morung Express News
November 26
DIMAPUR: Pointing to the Ceasefire Ground Rules being violated on several counts by both faction of the NSCN, the General Officer Commanding of 3 Corps Rangapahar, Eastern Command of the Indian Army Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah suggested that a review of the ground rules be taken up in order to remove certain doubts in its implementation. “There is a necessity for further clarification on the ceasefire ground rules as some of the provisions had scope for double interpretation”, Lt Gen Shah said during a brief interaction with The Morung Express at his official chamber on Friday.
Drawing attention to incidents of cadres from both NSCN factions moving out of their designated camps in full uniform with weapons, the 3 Corps GOC divulged that the army had to put pressure on both factions to clear populated areas on several occasions.
“In the interest of promoting the peace process, there should be no parading of NSCN cadres in uniform or with arms”, Lt Gen Shah said while pointing to the ground rules. This, he informed covered all populated areas, public transport and Highways.
Told to comment on the prevailing law and order situation in the State, Lt Gen Shah did not mince word in pointing out the prevalence of lawlessness and cited the assassination of former DGP Hesso Mao, large scale illegal tax collection and blockades being imposed at various places. “These are all law and order problems and such criminal activities are not covered under the ceasefire ground rules”, the 3 Corps GOC clearly said. “The State government’s writ must run and the Inspector General Assam Rifles has met the Chief Secretary asking the administration to take strong action against those lawless elements”, Lt Gen Shah informed.
He also reiterated that the armed forces in the region had no intention to abrogate the ceasefire agreement with the NSCN (IM) but cautioned that the army cannot sit back if it was threatened in any way. “We will take defensive measure for the safety of our troops if there is an abrogation of the ceasefire”, Lt Gen Shah said.
Asked if the current impasse in the negotiation was to the advantage of the armed forces, Lt Gen Shah was quick to reject such a notion. “The status-quo is not in the interest of anybody and we also want to see progress in the talks between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM)”, he said. “Which way it is going to go, we cannot say but we have given our recommendation based on the ground realities and what is best for the security of the troops”, the 3 Corps GOC hinted when asked about his own assessment as also the role of the army in the peace process.
Describing himself as a ‘friend of the Naga people’, Lt Gen Shah said he had the highest regard for the land and its people where he had earlier served at Chakhabama during the 1980s. Lt Gen Shah it may be mentioned recently took over as GOC 3 Corps of the Indian Army. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy.
