August 24 will remain a red-letter day in modern Nagaland. It was on this day, people have displayed for the first time their aversion to the gun culture that has come in the wake of insurgency.

Who provided the spark and how is unclear. But what is known is the public outrage followed the gunning down of a college student and injury to two others by the NSCN (K) at Mokokchung on Aug 24 and the assault of two student leaders by NSCN (IM) on August 26.

Tension gripped both the towns. Houses and vehicles of ‘K’ leaders and cadres were targeted and even torched at Mokokchung. At Tuensang an NSCN (IM) cadre was lynched. 

In fact, the locals literally drove the K ultras out of the two towns. The people have also decided not to pay extortion or give in to any other demand of the underground outfits.

The NSCN (K) cadres, including its top functionaries, have moved to Changtongya village a short distance from Mokokchung town. The K cadres and officials along with their relatives travelled out of the town in twelve vehicles with white flags hoisted atop.. The outfit’s general secretary Kitovi Zhimomi has reportedly moved over to Mon district while some of his colleagues are said to be presently camping at Zunheboto, Akuloto and Schichuyimpang villages in Zunheboto district.

Ministers visited the two towns; a flag march was staged as a show of force to ensure peace. Section 144 Cr PC was clamped prohibiting the assembly of four or more persons in public places. Assam Rifles, CRPF, Nagaland armed police and Indian Reserve Battalion were deployed in strength to prevent any further incident of violence.

A silent rally against IM was staged across Phek district on Aug 22. The protest was against the physical and mental harassment unleashed by the NSCN (IM) cadres.

Expectedly, the chief minister is not happy with the NSCN factions. He charges with violating the ceasefire ground rules. He wants the centre to strictly enforce the ceasefire and make them to return to the designated camps from the public places.

It is our duty as state government to maintain law and order, Neiphiu Rio declared and ordered an inquiry by the army and state government officials into the latest outrage against the ultras. 

Lt Gen (retd) R V Kulkarni, Chairman, Ceasefire Monitoring Group, (CEMG), has already directed both factions of NSCN to move to the agreed designated camps by October 10.  “Your cadres should abide by the directive to avoid confrontation with the public”, he told them.

On his part, the Chief Minister said: “Everyone’s focus should be on the on-going peace process and how to strengthen it. My government is ready to provide necessary help to underground activists to facilitate their move to the designated camps for the greater interest of peace.”

"Despite ceasefire, the two groups are not adhering to ground rules and are involved in inter-factional rivalry and killings”, he regretted

Observing that ever since his coalition came to power it has been emphasising on the need for NSCN cadres to remain only at their designated camps and to avoid any movement in the residential areas with arms, Rio said, the non-adherence to the ground rules had led to loss of lives, violence, extortion and harassment to the public across the State.

On the frequent factional strife despite the Disturbed Areas Act in force in the State, the Chief Minister said, "Mere presence of a law cannot prevent violence ... It has to be implemented tactfully and diplomatically."  Centre has extended the enforcement of Disturbed Areas Act in Nagaland for another year (with effect from July 23, 2003) to ward off factional feuds.

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