Mizo ex-CM: No talks on ceasefire with NSCN(K)

Neither the Prime Minister’s office nor the ministry of home affairs has asked Mizo National Front leader Zoramthanga to approach the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang faction) about re-entering a ceasefire agreement.

Former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga on Wednesday claimed that the Centre and the Myanmarese government had urged him to initiate a peace deal with the NSCN(K).

S.S. Khaplang, a Myanmarese Hemi Naga chieftain who heads the NSCN(K), had abrogated the ceasefire with the Indian government unilaterally on March 27, 2015, just a month before the truce was up for renewal. The group had entered into the ceasefire agreement with the Central government in 2001.

“It was the unilateral decision of the NSCN(K) to abrogate the 14-year-old ceasefire, now the government of India has no-plan to re-enter into a ceasefire agreement with the NSCN(K),” an authoritative sources in the PMO told this newspaper.

Clarifying that the Centre might re-consider its decision only if the NSCN(K) comes out with any proposal expressing willingness to revive the ceasefire agreement, security sources said they didn’t have any information on Mr Zoramthanga’s claim on the Myamarese government approaching him.

The Indian government has not asked him to approach the NSCN(K), sources confirmed.

Mr Zoramthanga was lobbying for his appointment as interlocutor in the ongoing peace talks with the insurgent groups in Assam, security sources said, adding that the government of India was firm on its stand about not engaging with any separatist group resorting to violence.

Security sources further said that the government of India was in touch with Myanmar and taking initiatives to stop Northeast insurgent groups from using its territory for anti-India activities.

After abrogating the ceasefire, the NSCN(K) had gone on a killing spree, attacking Indian soldiers in Nagaland and Manipur. The outfit even mounted the deadly ambush on a convoy of the 6 Dogra Regiment in Manipur’s Chandel district on June 4, 2015, killing 18 Army personnel.