Nagaland insurgents can target polls: Intel

Security agencies have identified 25 camps of insurgent groups across the border in Myanmar that can be used for carrying out attacks on forces and political leaders to disrupt elections in Nagaland.

Intelligence inputs indicate that with the call for boycotting elections rejected, the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), which is active from across the border, and their split factions that are in ceasefire, could disturb the electoral process.

In the wake of the threat, security forces along the border and in the hinterland have been alerted. There are 27 points on the border where more troops have been deployed to check attempts by NSCN (K) to create trouble, sources said.

Keeping in mind the security challenges nearly 28,000 troops from Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed in the conflict-hit state that goes to polls on February 27.

NSCN (K) has most of its top functionaries across the border. It abrogated the ceasefire in 2015, attacking the Indian Army, and is the most potent group that has the firepower to strike anytime.

Sources said intelligence inputs indicate that the Khaplang group will not come back to ceasefire as an underdog.

"There is no specific input about them targeting a particular area but there has been regular intelligence about their activities and efforts to strike," said a security official tracking these inputs.

NSCN (IM) — Isac Muivah, NSCN (KN) —Kitovi Neokpao and NSCN (R) — Reformation, are part of a ceasefire agreement and are confined to various camps with conditions imposed. As part of the ceasefire ground rules they cannot roam around with weapons and their arms are under lock.

There are 13 designated camps in Nagaland currently. NSCN (IM) has eight, NSCN (KN) has four, and NSCN (R) has one.These camps are being closely monitored.

"Anybody walking around with a weapon is a potential threat during elections. A discreet watch on activities of members of these groups is being maintained," said a security official.

These insurgent groups have been demanding a Greater Nagaland or Nagalim state, by integrating Naga population in Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Myanmar.

A framework agreement was signed between the Centre and NSCN (IM) in 2015. The group is part of a ceasefire agreement since 1997. There are six more factions under the banner of Naga National Political Groups that have now come onboard for peace talks.

Internal dynamics of NSCN have been changing since the death of their leader Isac last year. The top leadership of the group was restricted to Tangkhul Nagas who originally belong to Manipur. But off late the group was under pressure with the call for 'Nagas for Nagaland' and have failed to fill the vacuum at the top after the death of Isac.

Khole Konyak who belongs to local Naga tribe of Mon district of East Nagaland has been appointed the Vice Chairman of NSCN (IM) after he defected from Khaplang and joined IM. This is the first time a person from Nagaland has been given a senior position in the group.