We have restrained from firing a single shot: CFMC convenor
Morung Express News
DIMAPUR | AUGUST 27
The fate of the 13-year ceasefire between the Government of India and NSCN (I-M) seems to hang on a thin line following Thursday’s incident at Namsa in Mon district where a ‘Major’ of the NSCN (I-M) was allegedly gunned down by security forces. Ceasefire Monitoring Cell (CFMC) convenor ‘Maj Gen’ Phungthing Shimrang alleged that some agencies including AR ‘inimical to the peace process’ were trying all out to vitiate the atmosphere and testing the patience of Nagas and the commitment of the Naga leaders for peaceful and honourable settlement to Naga issue.
He said that as per commitment of the NSCN collective leadership to go the length and to “leave no stone unturned” to find an acceptable and honourable solution to, the NSCN cadres had restrained themselves from any retaliatory action. He also expressed doubt on sincerity of the Government of India, especially the Home Ministry, and wondered if the latter was aware and silently backing the “excesses” of the Assam Rifles.
“The Assam Rifles think that they are all in all. If they feel that this (Naga areas) is a playground for them, then we can also teach them a thing or two about guerilla warfare. They may have a large force but that will never deter people who are determined,” said ‘Maj Gen’ Phungthing Shimrang, a senior functionary of the Naga outfit and convenor of ceasefire monitoring cell (CFMC) between GoI and NSCN (I-M).
Reacting to media clarification of IGAR (N) that the NSCN cadre was killed when a routine patrol of Assam Rifles (AR) and 164 Inf. Territorial Army (Naga) was fired upon by NSCN cadres during a routine patrol, Phungthing said the statement was one “big lie to cover their own skins.” “We are not at the mercy of Assam Rifles jawans. We too have our own armed force and to retaliate is the easiest thing. We can pick our own time and place. But just because of the ongoing ceasefire, we have restrained ourselves from firing a single shot,” the CFMC convenor said.
Claiming that it was the security forces which had attacked the NSCN camp despite being fully aware that the camp existed for more than 3 years, Phungthing said that if the NSCN cadres had really fired first or retaliated, then there would definitely have been some casualty on the side of security forces. On IGAR statement that the NSCN cadre was killed by TA, he hinted that it was a tactical ploy of the AR to pitch Nagas against Nagas. “Is GoI trying to use TA as mercenaries?” Phungthing asked.
The CFMC convenor also hinted that the general public and even representatives of the state government were confused with the ceasefire ground rules (CFGR) between the NSCN (I-M) and Government of India and that of the CFGR between GoI and other groups. He said that on many occasions unwanted situations have arisen due to misunderstanding of the CFGR.
The convenor said that if the state government representatives are not aware of their responsibilities, then they should not attend the ceasefire monitoring group meetings. “We want a meaningful settlement and we are trying our best. GoI must tell us if they are serious and rein in the AR, otherwise there things will go out of hand, he said.
Phunghting further disclosed that taking into consideration the amount of arms and properties of NSCN seized and destroyed by security forces during the ceasefire period, the NSCN (I-M) had in consecutive CFMG meetings argued that peace talks can go on without ceasefire.
