India’s Myanmar envoy poses with NSCN(K) members

New Delhi: In an obvious diplomatic faux pas, the Indian envoy to Myanmar, Vikram Misri, has been pictured along with top members of the banned NSCN-Khaplang faction, including its “military commander” Niki Sumi, who has a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head.
In the picture, posted by a cadre of the banned Khaplang faction on his Facebook page, Misri is seen smiling alongwith Niki Sumi and senior Khaplang member Isak Sumi, and European Union envoy to Myanmar, Roland Kobia. The picture was put on his Facebook page by Isak Sumi.
The picture was said to have been taken earlier this month in Lahe, in the so-called Naga Self Administered Zone in Sagaing region of Myanmar.
The Indian government banned the NSCN-Khaplang faction in November, 2015. Its leaders, including chief S.S. Khaplang and “military commander” Niki Sumi, were proscribed with bounties of Rs 7 lakh and Rs 10 lakh on their heads, respectively.
The Ministry of External affairs, however, sought to downplay what it said were “some casual pictures” taken on the occasion of Naga New Year. (IANS)