Tell Myanmar to recognise NSCN(K): Rio

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Sunday proposed a new formula to solve the Naga imbroglio...

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Sunday proposed a new formula to solve the Naga imbroglio: India should exert pressure on the Myanmarese junta to recognise the Khaplang faction of the NSCN in that country.

“Naga unity is vital for a viable and lasting solution to the Naga issue. And for this, mighty India must impress upon the Myanmarese Government to recognise the Nagas living in their territory,” Rio said.

His suggestion comes at a time when a move has been made by some quarters to bring the two factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) closer and the state is heading for fresh Assembly elections in a couple of months.

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It was on November 23 that the Western Sumi Hoho (representing the Sumi tribe in the western part of the state) and some Sumi leaders from both factions of the NSCN launched a move to unite all Nagas and the two factions of the NSCN. The move, however, has not gone down well with the NSCN factions.

“Any kind of unification of Nagas is welcome. But it should encompass all Nagas. Nagas have so many tribes both within and outside Nagaland as well as within and outside India. It is thus necessary to have the consent of all the Naga tribes and groups,” the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister said he had already once mentioned this (recognition of the Khaplang faction of NSCN in Myanmar) to the Ministry of External Affairs as well as the Union Home Ministry. There are at least four Naga tribes comprising about 49 clans in Myanmar and spread over the tract between the northern portion of the Chindwin up to the Indo-Myanmar border. “I am soon meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to raise the issue and explain to him how it is going to help resolve the Naga issue,” Rio said. Rio said a proposal to create an autonomous region for the Nagas from the other side could also be taken up.

Rio, whose Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government is the first non-Congress Government heading to complete the five-year term, also recalled that the state Assembly has in the past passed as many as four resolutions seeking unification of all Naga-inhabited areas. “The state Assembly has passed resolutions on four occasions seeking unification of all Naga-inhabited areas,” he said.

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Unification of the two NSCN factions, however, looks like a distant dream, especially in view of the fact that both sides continue to accuse each other of promoting enmity and violence.

While a number of members on both sides have been killed in factional fights in the state, it was only on Thursday that the NSCN(IM) questioned the genuineness of the Khaplang faction.

“The approach towards ensuring the success of a mission to the magnitude of Naga unification should be based on sincerity and honesty. Any effort bereft of this genuine step would not bear fruits of any lasting nature,” a statement issued by the NSCN(IM) propaganda wing had said.