“With resumption of ceasefire, ban on NSCN (K), terrorist tag and bounties will be automatically removed: RN Ravi”
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 14 (MExN): The Government of India (GoI) through its Interlocutor for Naga peace talks, RN Ravi has reportedly accepted the olive branch offered by the Khango Konyak led NSCN (K) and will join the ongoing peace process.
According to a statement issued by the Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) on Wednesday, Interlocutor Ravi during a meeting held on November 1, 2018 at JIC HQ, New Delhi, the GoI had “never abrogated the ceasefire with NSCN (K) but that the NSCN (K) walked away from ceasefire on March, 2015.”
As such the GoI still stands and welcomes NSCN (K) for peace process, Ravi reportedly told the NGBF delegation. However, Ravi said “India has a commitment to solve the Naga issue with one comprehensive solution and therefore, cannot have many agreements and is not in a position to take up 3rd party with fresh negotiation.”
RN Ravi also told the delegation that as soon as the NSCN (K) comes into peace process dialogue with the GoI, the “Ban on NSCN (K), Terrorist Tag and Bounties on its leaders will be automatically removed /closed.”
These were some of the conditions of the Khango led NSCN (K) group to re-enter into a ceasefire. The Khango led NSCN (K) had also demanded that the GoI remove the terrorist tag, besides rescinding the bounties placed on its leaders.
Other demands include repeal of the AFSPA/DAA on the enforced Naga areas, unconditional release of NSCN cadres arrested after the abrogation of ceasefire and undergoing trails or serving sentences in different prison across the state/country.
The NGBF said the Khango led NSCN (K) had earlier endorsed them during a meeting at Yankhao village on October 25, 2018 to pursue the issue of paving the way for the group to enter into a ceasefire with the GoI at the earliest.
Consequent to the meeting with the Interlocutor and the consent to most of the conditions laid down by the Khango group, the NGBF said the Khango led NSCN (K) accepted the offer of the GoI to resume the abrogated ceasefire.
Now, at this crucial juncture, the NGBF has appealed the GoI to promptly respond to the peace offer and resume talks as soon as possible. It has also urged all Naga political groups to unite and join the peace process for an early solution.
