Tuensang tribal leaders resort to shuttle diplomacy
Morung Express News
November 28
DIMAPUR: The ongoing economic blockade being imposed at Noklak by the NSCN (IM) and the one at Longkhim by the combined force of the FGN and NSCN (K) may be lifted anytime according to information gathered. According to reliable sources, tribal leaders from Tuensang district were shuttling between Hebron Camp and Tuensang to resolve the crisis. The top officials of the NSCN (IM) have reportedly given the ‘green light’ for lifting of the blockade currently being enforced at a place called Chingmei in the route between Tuensang town and Noklak. The tribal delegates met GPRN officials at camp Hebron on Sunday.
Immediately after getting this assurance, another team of tribal leaders who were camping at Tuensang rushed towards Longkhim to meet FGN and NSCN (K) leaders and to convey the message that the NSCN (IM) was ready to lift the blockade it was imposing. The team will appeal for a similar response from the FGN-NSCN (K) that is enforcing the Longkhim blockade in response to the month long blockade at Noklak.
“Since it was a tit for tat response, we are hopeful that the FGN-NSCN (K) leaders would also reciprocate to the positive gesture from Hebron”, a State government official who has been working behind the scenes said.
At the time of filing this report, information was received that the NGO team to Longkhim could not meet the top officials from the FGN-NSCN (K). The proposed meeting will take place on Tuesday morning. “Only after we get report from the second team will we be able to confirm whether the blockade in both places would be lifted”, the government official said.
