Thursday, April 3, 2025

NSCN-IM likely to field candidates in Manipur polls

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NEW DELHI: The Centre is closely monitoring the activities of NSCN-IM which is likely to field some proxy candidates in the coming Manipur Assembly elections as two top leaders of the group on Wednesday held a prolonged meeting with Naga civil society and political leaders in Dimapur.

NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ Thuingaleng Muivah and senior leader V S Atem engaged in hectic confabulations with at least six MLAs of Nagaland’s ruling NPF, leaders of the apex civil society organisation Naga Hoho and others at Niathu Resort on the outskirts of Dimapur, raising eyebrows in the Home Ministry.

“The meeting was convened to chalk out the strategy for the Manipur election. The NSCN-IM is likely to field some proxy candidates in the polls,” a source said. The elections to the 60-member Manipur Assembly will be held on January 28 for which the last date of filing nominations is January 11. Muivah attended the meeting defying a Central directive.

The Centre has long ago made it clear to NSCN-IM that whenever Muivah and ‘chairman’ Isaac Chishi Swu travel within Nagaland, they have to intimate the Nagaland government which in turn would seek permission from the Home Ministry. When the Ministry grants permission, the leaders can travel with Z-plus security provided by the state government. “To attend today’s meeting, Muivah moved out of the NSCN-IM camp Hebron without intimating anyone,” the source said.

The NSCN-IM has strong presence in four Naga-dominated hill districts — Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel. Six candidates supported by the group had won the last Assembly elections. Muivah himself hails from Ukhrul.

During the meeting, they apprised the home minister various aspects of the peace talks with government interlocutor R S Pandey and had conveyed to him that they were working for an “honourable solution” acceptable to all.

The two sides have been engaged in intense discussions on some of the proposals moved to find out a mutually acceptable political settlement based on the uniqueness of Naga history.

However, the Centre is unlikely to accept the demand of the unification of Naga-inhabited areas, a highly controversial issue which is opposed by Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. (PTI)

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