After years of keeping peace, fresh round of violence erupts between NSCN (IM) and GPRN/NSCN

Stop the Factional Violence: FNR appeals for peace and reconciliation

Naga Republic News

Just days away from the 9th anniversary of the Covenant of Reconciliation which was signed on June 13, 2009, a fresh round of factional clash erupted close to the Indo-Myanmar border between the NSCN (IM) and the GPRN/NSCN. According to unconfirmed reports, at least three casualties are reported. The incident occurred between Namsang and Sipini villages, under Deomali jurisdiction in Tirap District, Arunachal Pradesh.

This is the most serious clash to have taken place in the last nine years since the Covenant of Reconciliation (CoR) was signed on June 13, 2009 by Isak Chishi Swu, SS Khaplang and Brig (Retd) S Singnya. The signatories had committed before God to offer themselves to Naga Reconciliation and Forgiveness based on the Historical and Political Rights of the Nagas.

Top leaders representing the Naga Political Groups seen here at the historic ‘Naga Reconciliation Meeting’, one of the biggest Naga public gathering in recent times, called by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) at Agri Expo Centre on February 29, 2012. Here the Naga public also resolved that the “historical and political rights” of the Nagas should form the basis of any political solution and that any negotiation process must focus on how Nagas can determine, safeguard and exercise their historical and political rights in a contemporary and inter-related world

The signatories to the CoR had also resolved to work together in the spirit of love, nonviolence, peace and respect to resolve outstanding issues among themselves. The Covenant of Reconciliation was instrumental in the cessation of armed confrontation and bloodshed among the Naga Political Groups this last nine to ten years.

It may be mentioned that both the NSCN (IM) and the GPRN/NSCN are engaged in separate peace dialogue with the Government of India through its Interlocutor RN Ravi. Some kind of peace accord was expected to be signed soon.

India Blooms News Service has also reported that “at least three persons including two Naga militants were killed in a factional clash between two groups of NSCN-IM and NSCN-U” in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district. The incident took place at Namsang village near Deomali area in the wee hours of Thursday.

The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), which had facilitated the signing of the CoR has meanwhile expressed deep concern by the factional violence, between NSCN (IM) and the GPRN/NSCN, which took place on May 31, 2018 somewhere between Namsang and Sipini villages, under Deomali jurisdiction in Tirap District.

“We are devastated by the loss of human lives and injuries in the aftermath of this violence”, the FNR stated in a communiqué received here.

The FNR stated that at a time when Nagas “are reasoning together and seeking ways to strengthen the Naga Reconciliation process, the factional violence in Deomali undermines the Naga yearning for reconciliation, understanding and harmony”.

“Such acts of armed violence contradict the commitment and principles of the Covenant of Reconciliation that calls for ending all factional violence, especially armed violence”, the FNR stated.

The FNR has reached out to leaders of both the groups involved in this particular incident to immediately intervene and stop this factional violence.

“Further violence should not be allowed to spiral out of this incident. We make this appeal for restraint and urge the two sides to address the issues which caused this violent confrontation by using dialogue and peaceful means”.

The FNR stated that it was making this “clarion call to all the Naga Political Groups to remain vigilant and to refrain from all forms of armed violence and media-war”.

“We implore you to listen to the voices of the Naga people to respect and uphold the Covenant of Reconciliation. During this difficult time the FNR stands in solidarity with our fellow Nagas in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts”.

The latest clash comes just hours after the Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had visited forward posts of the Assam Rifles along the Indo-Myanmarese border in Nagaland. The Defence Minister also made her maiden visit to Armys Spear Corps Zone at Rangpahar, Dimapur where she was briefed about counter terrorist as well as border management operations on Indo-Myanmar border. According to reports, the visit was aimed to make a firsthand review of the security situation along the international border.

Of interest to note is that the Government of India is actively engaged in talking to both the NSCN (IM) and the GPRN/NSCN which is part of the Working Group comprising of 6 Naga National Political Groups. Sustained dialogue is reportedly taking place in New Delhi for the last few months to ‘resolve the Naga issue’.