NSCN-IM withdraws ceasefire with NSCN(K)

Kohima, June 24 (UNI) The historic ceasefire agreement between rival factions of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), signed on June 14 last at Zunheboto district, has been nullified with NSCN-IM president Isak Chishi Swu declaring the agreement as ''farcical imposition'' by NSCN(K).

Swu today claimed the representatives of his faction were intimidated into signing the deal. ''The agreement was ''more of a self-forfeiture of our trust and therefore we hold ourselves not bound by any such farcical imposition,'' he added.

He maintained that in the spirit of reconciliation and in response to the genuine wishes of the Sumi civil societies, the NSCN-IM deputed its team, led by deputy kilonser Shikato Chishi Swu, to meet some NSCN(K) leaders to foster better understanding between the two groups.

''The NSCN-IM representatives had gone without any arms showing faith and sincerity,'' he said while alleging that the rival faction team, led by Nikhuyi, came in full combat gear and after creating a commotion by their random firing, intimidated the NSCN-IM officials into signing the ceasefire agreement.

The action of the rival faction clearly conveyed the idea that they would all be eliminated, if they refused to sign the ceasefire agreement, Swu added.

He Reiterated that the NSCN-IM was totally committed to the peace process and engaged in exploring every possible avenue in finding an honorable political solution acceptable to both the parties, Swu said in order to achieve this objective, faith in the power of collective wisdom and mass participation had become essential.

He also said the ''brazen attitude and treacherous action'' displayed by the rival faction was not only an insult to the Sumi civil societies through whose positive efforts these initiatives were made, but also a ''self-forfeiture of trust''.

''Neither do we believe in such forced union nor in the marriage that can be sustained through deception, '' he said.

''The NSCN-IM no longer trusted such people''. he said and alleged the ''Centre had been unscrupulously using these NSCN(K) elements''.

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