The NSCN (IM) has threatened that its 1997 ceasefire agreement with the Government of India could break down if the security forces continue to arrest its cadres in Nagaland. In the past few days, as many as 14 people belonging to several groups including the NSCN (IM) have been arrested for allegedly carrying firearms in violation of the ceasefire accord. Official sources have disclosed that a huge cache of arms and ammunition have been seized, a number of them belonging to the AK series. Also, fake currency worth 1.66 lakhs has been got hold of. Apparently the cadres intended to use the arms to disrupt an Assembly by-election on November 4. The NSCN (IM) has made the counter-accusation that the security forces had violated ceasefire rules. It feels that the 1997 agreement has reached a dead end. A large number of NSCN (IM) cadres have been the victims of the torture of security forces making the agreement one-sided, the NSCN (IM) maintains. The official claim that cadres of outfits in peace talks with the Centre are banned from carrying firearms has been rejected by the Naga militant group.
The Naga contention is obviously untenable. The security forces should not be on a persecution drive, arresting and jailing those who carry firearms. But they are definitely allowed to take precautionary measures. NSCN (IM) cadres have no need to carry AK-series of arms. Even a famous film star could be put in prison for doing that. Over 60 rounds of talks between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) have failed because of Naga intransigence about autonomy and greater Nagalim. The 16-year-old agreement has been from time to time violated by Naga rebels. The NSCN (IM)’s threat to terminate the accord is far from new and should not cause the Centre undue concern.