Security forces hope for ceasefire deal with Nagaland insurgent group

The most radical insurgent Naga group Nationalist Socialist  Council of Nagaland(K) could be exploring options to come back in a ceasefire agreement since the abrogating it in 2015, sources in the security establishment say.

With the group not making any attempts to disturb the polls in the conflict-hit state, officials believe that they could be looking at ceasefire again.

“There have been certain indicators that NSCN(K) would want to be part of a ceasefire agreement like other factions of the of the group. That is the reason they did not attempt any strike in the run up to elections,” said an official tracking the insurgent group.

NSCN(K) carried out two major attacks on the Army since abrogating the ceasefire in 2015. The group is active from across the border and has around 25 camps in Myanmar. The group’s stronghold is the frontier district of Mao.

In the run-up to election, movements by some of their cadres were reported, but officials said that was mostly for extortion. “During election, money flows in Nagaland. Probably they too wanted to get their hands on it,” said a political leader not wishing to be named.

A framework agreement was signed between the Centre and insurgent group Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isac-Muivah) referred as NSCN(IM) in 2015. The group is part of a ceasefire agreement since 1997. NSCN (IM), NSCN (KN)—Kitovi Neokpao and NSCN (R)—Reformation are also part of a ceasefire agreement.

The framework agreement and solution to the Naga problem was, however, not a poll campaign for any of the political parties after the call for poll boycott under the slogan ‘Solution Before Election’ was rejected.

On polling day, incumbent Chief Minister TR Zeliang said that if voted to power, his party will try to bring a solution to the Naga situation.