Centre urged to revamp Naga truce ground rules

Expressing serious concern over the NSCN factional violence, the Consultative Committee for Peace (CCP), a government constituted mechanism to facilitate the on-going peace process in Nagaland has urged the Centre to revamp the ceasefire ground rules with proper identification of designated camps for militant groups.

The CCP in its meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio observed that the factional fightings between two rival groups of NSCN escalated in recent past because the underground groups were not staying in the designated camps.

The meeting demanded that the designated camps be identified immediately and the underground cadres be asked to stay inside the camps by the Centre with a clear cut ceasefire implementing mechanism without delay so that truce could be implemented in letter and spirit.

CCP observed that “although there is a monitoring mechanism for ceasefire ground rules, there is no such implementing mechanism for the same,” a press communique issued by Principal Secretary Home and CCP member Banuo Z Jamir said.

The frequent factional fighting amongst the Naga underground groups in civilian populated areas was one point of serious concern raised during the CCP meeting. The meeting, which took place at the Chief Minister’s residence, strongly condemned the killings and appealed to the underground groups to stop the senseless bloodshed and all forms of violence.

The CCP also made an appeal to the Centre and the NSCN (K) to consider further extension of ceasefire between them which is to expire on April 28, 2007.

It also strongly voiced against all forms of extortion, illegal tax collection and abduction and said that such activities must be condemned by all.

While appreciating the efforts being made by the civil societies, churches, NGOs, civil administration, police and paramilitary forces in maintaining law and order, the committee further appealed to one and all to do their utmost towards maintaining peace and tranquility in the State so that the peace process in the State is not hampered in anyway.

The CCP also observed that the issue of delimitation of Assembly constituencies was being used by some people to launch agitation on tribal lines thereby affecting adversely the law and order situation and the ongoing peace process.

Requesting all sections of the Naga society to respect the unanimous resolutions passed by the State Assembly political parties and the decision of the Cabinet on this issue, the committee made an appeal to refrain from any form of agitation on the issue as everybody would be given an opportunity to be heard by the Delimitation Commission before finalising the delimitation exercise.

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