NSCN (IM) says will not force people to boycott Nagaland Elections

In what comes as a major relief to the Election Commission of India, the NSCN (IM) has said that it will not force people to boycott the upcoming elections in Nagaland.

The NSCN (IM) which had originally demanded independence from India is now in talks with the government. It may be recalled that the organisation had even signed the Naga Accord aimed at fulfilling certain demands with the pre-condition of staying within the Indian state.

After the mainstream political parties decided to defy the boycott diktat and contest the election, NSCN-IM had made a veiled threat, stating that any national worker found "defying the decision of the Naga people would face serious consequences as per the Ajha (decree) of the government".

"We fully support the prudent decision of the Naga people for solution of the Naga issue and hence, not to go for election. We will stand by this decision to the end. We reiterate our stand that imposed election will not be acceptable to the Naga people," it added.

It may be recalled that several tribal committees had issued a boycott call for the elections which are scheduled for February 27.

Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) had issued the January 29 declaration, demanding a "solution (to the Indo-Naga political issue) before election."

CCNTHCO had, with the support of seven Naga insurgent groups, compelled 11 political parties to sign a joint agreement to not contest the elections to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. However the exercise was a futile one with all political parties fielding candidates for the elections.

OneIndia News