Kohima: The Government of India and Naga underground group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) has extended the Ceasefire Agreement in New Delhi on Tuesday as the terms of the preceding tenure of Ceasefire between the two parties expired on Sunday last.
According to sources today the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a press release yesterday informing that the Central Government and the armed group had extended the Ceasefire for a period of one year.
It was decided by the Government of India to extend the ceasefire with NSCN-K for a further period of one year with effect from April 28, 2014, the Ministry stated in the press release.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Union Government by Joint Secretary in the MHA Shambhu Singh and the Supervisor of the Cease Fire Supervisory Board of NSCN-K, Y. Wangtin Naga.
The peace pact is in operation between the government of India and the NSCN (K) for last 13 years and its validity was reviewed on Wednesday.
On November 14, 1998, the Union Government of India announced a ceasefire with the NSCN-K for two months from November 15, 1998, to January 15, 1999. Since then, the ceasefire between the two parties has been renewed every year.
The NSCN-K has been arguing that it is the only legitimate outfit, which can represent Nagas living in India and Myanmar, but the Centre was not willing to engage in dialogue with S. S. Khaplang, who is a Burmese national.
The outfit has two designated camps in India-one at Suruhoto in Zunheboto district and the other in Mon district.
The Union Government has entered into truce with the Naga insurgent group NSCN-IM in 1997 and since then more than 80 rounds of talks were held between the Centre and NSCN- IM, led by the Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah without concrete outcome in the last 16 years of truce.
Prior to signing of the ceasefire with the NSCN (I-M) in July 31, 1997, the Centre had assured the outfit that it would not engage in dialogue with other Naga outfits and stated that the NSCN (I-M) was the only legitimate Naga group. (UNI)
