VK Shashikumar
CNN IBN
Camp Hebron/Camp Mount Gilead, Nagaland, October 4: A no-war, no-peace situation is gnawing the rank and file of NSCN (IM) armed militia. The collective leadership of the Naga insurgent group is also running out of time and patience. So while the NSCN (IM) leadership has proposed a new federal arrangement, they are also preparing for war in case the ceasefire collapses. “The Government of India has no political will and so, it has no courage,” General VS Atem, emissary to the collective leadership of NSCN (IM) told CNN IBN Special Investigation Team.
The rumblings in the forests of Nagaland are growing louder. Despite the extension of the ceasefire to August 2007, the NSCN (I-M) is getting restless and they blame the Centre for taking the peace talks nowhere. “ The GOI in 2002 declared its recognition of the uniqueness of Naga history and political situation. But we say this armed struggle was forced upon the Nagas by the Indians,” Atem said.
Now, Naga leaders have warned that violence could return if the ceasefire collapses. “Demoralisation is setting in and this is where the adversaries will win against peace. If the ceasefire collapses, those in favour of peace will lose and those in favour of war will win,” Vice-President, Naga Hoho, Keviletuo Kiewhuo said. Naga leaders want a final peace settlement within the next three years. “And if it doesn’t happen in 2 or 3 years. The ceasefire will collapse; the talks will collapse by its own weight,” he said. If the ceasefire collapses, the NSCN (I-M) cadres, continuously training in camps, are prepared to take the war out of the jungles.
“Power doesn’t come from the forest or jungles. It has to come from the cities and villages. The power sector of the Indian Government has to be shaken and that will definitely happen,” Kiewhuo said. The NSCN (I-M)’s top leader, Bangkok-based T Muivah, is openly critical of Delhi’s lack of commitment. In fact, the NSCN (I-M) claims that it already runs a parallel government in Nagaland. “Even the so-called state politicians and bureaucrats don’t regard the state government of Nagaland as the government,” defence minister, NSCN (I-M), Zarsie Nyuthe said.
They also readily admit to collecting local taxes. “It is the people of Nagaland who give us taxes. They give legitimacy to the movement and say that they are Nagas,” convenor, ceasefire cell, NSCN (I-M), Brigadier Phunthing said. Now, the question that arises is will inertia on part of the Government of India and the Naga leadership trigger another bloody conflict.
The Naga Hoho has backed the proposal of NSCN (IM) and has warned the GOI of the dangerous consequences if the peace talks fail. “The war will have to taken to the urban areas to the cities. We have not touched even a single govt. official under the constitution of India. But tomorrow if the war resumes they will have to go to the decision makers also,” Keviletuo Kiewhuo, Vice-President, Naga Hoho, told CNN IBN Special Investigation Team.
