Kohima: NSCN (IM) has stated that assurances and commitments given by successive former Indian Prime Ministers pertaining to the Indo-Naga Ceasefire coverage, which are now a matter of history and documents, cannot be deleted by the Chairman, Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG).
According to a press release issued by the Convener of the NSCN (IM) Ceasefire Monitoring Cell (CFMC) Kraibo Chawang pointed out that the joint statement of June 14, 2001; Bangkok “clearly states that the ceasefire agreement is between the Government of India and the NSCN as two entities without territorial limits vide its clause 1.” It further referred to the joint communiqué, dated January 23, 2003, according to which the NSCN raised the issues relating to the distinct identity of the Nagas and their stand on unification of Naga areas.
In this regard the Government of India representatives clarified that there has been no change in its stand on the scope of negotiation, vide its 2nd paragraph, asserted the NSCN (IM).
It further informed that as per the second paragraph of the joint statement, dated July 30, Chiangmai, the two sides reiterated their commitment to the peace process and confirmed that no new conditions have been imposed or changes made to the agenda and the scope of the talks. Regarding the approval of Designated Camp at Khangkhui-Shiroy forest area, Ukhrul (Manipur) the NSCN (IM) cited a letter to the Joint Secretary (NE), Union Ministry of Home Affairs, dated February 6, 2007 by Lt. Gen. R. V. Kulkarni (Retd), Chairman of CFMG, in which, according to the NSCN (IM), the latter conveyed the approval of Designated Camp of NSCN at Khangkhui-Shiroy area.
It further stated that the then CFMG Chairman spoke again to the DGMO on June 16, 2005, when he stated that the new location of the NSCN (IM) stands approved with the conditions that the NSCN (IM) would refrain from supporting the valley based groups in Manipur and that no more camps would be considered, hereafter, vide sub-clause (d) of clause 2. (UNI)