Nagaland (Insurgency North East): Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2019

Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been extended for six more month in Nagaland, reports Northeast Today on January 1. According to Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) notification, Government of India (GoI) is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of State of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civilian power is necessary. A ministry official said the decision to continue the declaration of Nagaland as “disturbed area” has been taken as killings, loot and extortion have been going on in various parts of the State which necessitated the action for the convenience of the security forces operating there. Read less...

As the tenure of current Government draws to a close, there is no progress on negotiations for a peace accord with Naga armed groups, with talks stuck for almost a year due to an intransigent position taken by the Naga side on ‘symbolic’ issues, such as a separate flag, reports Indian Express on January 7. According to reports, ‘substantive’ issues had been resolved between the two sides and a draft agreement was ‘almost ready’ by then. But a change in Naga position has led to apprehensions that any gains made since 2014 will be lost with a change in political dispensation at the Centre. According to sources, the current logjam is largely due to the Church, which has taken a lead role in articulating the Naga political position in the past year. The Church has argued that symbols are integral to the identity of the Nagas, and that Naga identity would not be safe without them.It is politically unviable for the Centre to accept demands such as a separate Naga flag, even though, sources said, it has agreed to guarantee protection of the Naga identity. But if these changes can be brought later through a democratic political process, the Centre would have no objection, sources explained. At a Church-organised meeting held in Dimapur on September 8 2018, Naga civil society groups and political groups had issued a statement called the ‘Declaration of the Naga Collective Spirit’. It said that “the historical fact that the Naga struggle started before India’s independence strengthens our moral authority” and argued that “the Naga people did not violate any agreement for union made with any nation in our history. This establishes the legitimacy and integrity of Naga rights”.In what is seen as a repudiation of the argument that Nagas have to be realistic about being a part of India, the declaration noted: “We draw inspiration from Confucius who reminds us that, ‘When it is obvious that goals cannot be achieved, don’t adjust the goals, but adjust the steps’.”Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), comprising representatives of six influential Naga rebel groups and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) or NSCN-IM, had met interlocutors of the Central government last month, and another meeting is scheduled in Delhi this month. But neither side is hopeful of a breakthrough, in light of the political narrative being articulated in Nagaland. The Centre had agreed to find a solution on the basis of mutually agreed sovereignty rights, which would take the unique history of Nagas into account, adds Indian Express. Among the substantive issues agreed upon by the two sides was creation of a cultural council for all the Nagas, removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), enhancing political representation of Nagas in Parliament, creation of a bicameral state legislature, autonomous council for Naga-majority areas in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and major economic packages for the state of Nagaland. Some of these changes would have been effected through amendments to the Constitution. Read less...

United Naga Council (UNC) stated that that a solution to the protracted political dialogue going on between the Government of India and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) would not do any harm to the Meitei-Naga relation, reports The Sangai Express on January 7. Kho John the newly elected President of UNC stated that Meitei’s apprehension of a possible doomsday as and when a final solution is worked out to the political dialogue is misplaced. When asked if Naga people’s faith for a solution is not waning as the dialogue process has been going on for too long, the UNC president said that the Government of India has been extending the peace dialogue again and again on the excuse that the Governments of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have been continuously raising objections. He also alleged that Government of India has been exploring a solution, it has been trying to weaken the movement by resorting to delaying tactics. He stated that ‘The BJP-led NDA Government has not translated its assurance into action. Nonetheless, we have been watching patiently and closely what it would do before its term expires’. Read less...

Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), as a constituent of North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), has extended support to the umbrella students’ platform-sponsored shutdown on January 8 (today), reports Nagaland Post. In a statement issued by its president Kesosul Christopher Ltu and general secretary ImtiyapangImsong, NSF announced that it would impose the bandh within its jurisdiction from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. to show its deepest resentment against announcement to table the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the Parliament. Heeding to the call of NSF, Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) has extended support to NESO shutdown. CSU appealed to the district administration, law enforcing agencies, business establishments and all school and colleges to remain closed that day as the Bill posed a threat to rights of indigenous people. NESO the umbrella student body representing all the states — has also called for the bandh across seven northeastern states, which is being supported by the AGP, the Congress and 30 other ethnic organisations from Assam, reports Indian Express on January 8. The main grouse of the opposers is that they fear the Bill — which seeks to amend the Citizenship Act 1955 by granting citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan — will destroy Assam, which has been grappling with the issue of ‘illegal immigration’ for decades now. The Bill effectively allows anyone belonging to the above-mentioned groups to seek citizenship in India, as long as they have entered Indian before December 31, 2014. The opposers also feel this contradicts the ongoing update of the National Registry of Citizens (NRC) which takes into consideration March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date for citizenship in Assam. In May 2018, a Joint Parliamentary Committee was sent to Assam to take stock of the opposition and support to the Bill. Read less...

Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) has agreed to discuss the demands of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), an apex body of six Naga tribes, asking for a separate state under the Constitution, reports Indian Express on January 9. Officials stated that A tripartite dialogue was held between the ENPO, Nagaland government and UMHA under the chairmanship of special secretary (internal security) in December. After more than four years and several rounds of talks, the Centre is yet to come up with a peace accord in Nagaland. UMHA officials said that they had only agreed to “discuss the demands” of ENPO and no final decision has been taken while sources said the move may lead to division of State as the ENPO demands a “Frontier Nagaland”. Former ENPO President Khoiwang Konyak said, “Our demands and political issues are different from other Naga groups, including NSCN-IM, and are primarily concerned with six tribes namely Chang, Konyak, Khiamniungan, Phom, Sangtam and Yimchunger.” UMHA officials said that ENPO during the tripartite meeting cited provisions of Article 371-A (2) of the Constitution to stress that the eastern districts have a historical background, are comparatively less developed and required immediate attention. The ENPO’s original demand is for a separate state other than a separate assembly, administration, High Court and capital. Naga framework agreement, signed in 2015, is yet to be formalised, six tribes from eastern Nagaland under the aegis of ENPO have stepped up the long-pending demand for separate statehood under the Constitution. The peace accord that was to be finalised with Naga groups will now have to wait with the Centre agreeing to discuss ENPO’s demand for a separate state. In September ENPO rejected the Centre’s development package, cleared by the MHA, saying that it cannot be accepted in lieu of the demand for “Frontier Nagaland”. ENPO recently held three rounds of bilateral discussions with the state government while multiple rounds of talks have been held between the Centre, State and ENPO. ENPO has been demanding the creation of a separate state comprising the four eastern districts of Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire for over a decade now. The organisation had first submitted a memorandum to then PM Manmohan Singh on November 25, 2010 which was referred by the Centre to the state government for its views. Officials familiar with the development at MHA said that the demand for a separate state may not be feasible but the government may consider giving them autonomous council authority. Read less...

The Khango and Isak led National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) will initiate their political dialogues with the Government of India (GoI) within a week, reports Northeast Today on January 10. It is believed that both sides will be diligently working towards officially signing the Ceasefire pact. Isaac Chishi is scheduled to travel to New Delhi for resumption of the Peace talks and the outcome of the talks will be unravelled shortly. It is learnt that the Khango led NSCN-K will be establishing their Monitoring Cell in Dimapur immediately after returning from New Delhi. The Khango led NSCN-K has placed a four point demand which includes lift the ban on NSCN-K and removal of terrorist tag, rescind the bounties placed on NSCN-K leaders, conditional release of cadres arrested after abrogation of cease fire and repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). It is believed that on Signing the Peace pact all Khango-led NSCN K leaders lodged in various jails of India will be unconditionally released. Read less...

Khango Konyak-led faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), a Naga insurgent outfit, has agreed to join the peace talks with the Government of India (GoI), Hindustan Times on January 11. The faction is likely to join the Working Committee (WC) of the six Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) which is in talks withGoI. According to ThejaTherieh, spokesperson of the Nagaland Tribes Council, Yes, the Khango Konyak led faction has agreed to join the peace talks. ShikutoZalipu, the General Secretary of Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation also added that Isak Sumi has given the green signal to join the NNPGs. Nagaland Gaon BuraFederation( Nagaland village elders federation) has been talking to the Konyak-led group since Khango Konyak was impeached as ‘chairman’ of NSCN(K) in August 2018 and given a safe passage to return to Nagaland from Myanmar. Zalipu stated that ‘The group wanted to retain its entity in the talks. They could either merge with the NSCN(I-M) or join the NNPGs. Since the Government of India has said no to talks with any third party the only option to enter talks while retaining their entity is to join NNPGs’. Read less...

Kidnapped Timon Habi Tea Estate manager Numal Chandra Baruah has reportedly been released by the suspected United Liberation Front of Asom, Independent (ULFA-I) in Nagaland, reports Time8. He was released near Longwa village in Mon District. Baruah was missing since November 21 from his residence in Sonari in Assam. Read less...

Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), the influential civil society group in Nagaland has stated that Nagas “are not optimistic about a breakthrough in the peace process”, reports Indian Express on January 14. But the Centre’s interlocutor for Naga talks and Deputy National Security Advisor, R N Ravi, denies that the talks have reached a dead-end. FNR also gave a call to “re-imagine the Indo-Naga Peace Process,” a call for a complete overhaul which signals a dead-end for the ongoing peace process. In a statement issued on January 14, FNR stated that Based on the current political narrative being articulated, the people at home — in Naga-Land (not to be confused with the Indian State of Nagaland) are not optimistic about a breakthrough in the peace process. The omission of the people at this crucial stage is short-sighted. It has contributed to this distrustful narrative’. However, RN Ravi stated that it is not a dead-end and progress is being made in these talks”. Sources said Ravi met representatives of both Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), comprising representatives of six influential Naga rebel groups, and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (-sak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) in Delhi last week.Seen as perhaps the most influential group in Nagaland, FNR was formed in principle on February 24, 2008 as one of the outcomes of the Naga Peace Convention organised by the Naga Shisha Hoho in Dimapur. It was christened on March 25, 2008 at Kohima with the support of 39 Naga frontal organisations, including the Council of Naga Baptist Churches (CNBC), and with the support of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and the Nagaland Christian Forum (NCF). Reverend Dr Wati Aier, a Christian priest, is the convenor of FNR. According to reports talks between the Centre and Naga groups had not made any progress for nearly a year due to an intransigent position taken by the Naga side on ‘symbolic’ issues, such as a separate flag. The Centre believes ‘substantive’ issues have been resolved but the political narrative being propounded by certain Naga groups is responsible for the deadlock. Read less...

Nagaland Chief Minister (CM) Neiphiu Rio on January 20 stated the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) is not applicable to Nagaland, as the state stands protected under the provisions of Article 371(A) and the Inner Line Permit, reports The Shillong Times. He said the state cabinet which met on January 18 discussed the Bill and re-iterated the earlier decisions adopted by the Cabinet on June 5, 2018 and January 7, 2019. ‘The cabinet was of the unequivocal view that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is not applicable to Nagaland and we stand protected under the provisions of Article 371 (A) and the Inner Line Permit (ILP) as per Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, (BEFR) of 1873, armed under Clause 16 of the 16 Point Agreement’. He also said that the Cabinet decided to adopt a resolution re-arming all provisions of Article 371(A) and to strengthen the implementation of the ILP as per the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873 that will also be taken up in the upcoming Nagaland Assembly session. Read less...

Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) demanded that the Government-constituted Committee, to streamline the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system and curbing the influx of illegal immigrant in the State, submits its report to the State Government within 10 days, reports Assam Tribune on January 23. Failing this, it warned that it would resort to agitation to protect the state from illegal immigrants. Earlier, the Nagaland Government on August 18, 2018 set up the committee headed by Abhishek Singh, Commissioner and Secretary to Chief Minister (CM), to prepare a comprehensive action plan and mechanism to streamline ILP and to effectively curb illegal immigrants. JCPI was formed by Naga civil organisations to prevent illegal immigration following the publication of National Register of Citizen (NRC) updates in Assam on July 30, 2018. Read less...

A Nagaland State Transport (NST) bus driver, identified as Toiho Sumi, was detained on January 26 at Tsumang Ain Wokha District after the recovery of explosives, ammunition and weapons from inside the bus, reports Nagaland Post. The recovered items include three grenades, one 9mm ammunition, 12 live rounds (7.65 mm), seven live rounds (5.56 mm), one detonator, one release spring, 150 grams of explosive/gun powder and one lead acid battery. Read less...

Khango Konyak led National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) faction on January 29 resolved to “partner and participate” in the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue alongside Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), reports Nagaland Post. With the addition of NSCN-K faction NNPG now has seven members. NSCN-K stated that Khango Konyak and ‘general secretary’, ‘colonel (retired) Isak Sumi decided to join the Working Committee (WC) of NNPGs, maintaining its identity and as partner in the ongoing political negotiations with the Government of India. The decision to this effect was made on January 29, after which a ‘deed agreement’ was jointly signed by ‘convenor’ and four ‘co-conveners’ of WC NNPGs, and NSCN-K ‘president’ Khango Konyak. Meanwhile, the grouping further resolved that all the signatories of the agreement should mandatorily enforce the ‘anti-defection agreement’, reports Nagaland Post. Defections among NNPGs were identified as one of the reason of reverses to the ‘Naga cause’. Importantly, as per the ‘deed agreement’, the members resolved to offer 10 days (with effect from January 29) to all defectors to return to their parent organizations, failing which, the NNPGs WC shall jointly decide on the course of action deemed necessary adds the report. Read less...

Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) which had held a consultative meeting with the working committee of Naga National Political Groups (NNPG-WC) in Chumukedima in Dimapur District of Nagaland on January 30 stated that the ongoing Naga peace process need to be expedited, reports Assam Tribune on January 31. JLF members included Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang. Read less...

National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) ‘general secretary’ Thuingaleng Muivah, will be in Nagaland on February 4, where he is expected to hold a series of meetings with high level functionaries of NSCN-IM, reports Nagaland Post. During the visit decision on appointment of ‘chairman’ and ‘vice chairman’ of NSCN-IM will be taken up. The post fell vacant after the death of Issak Swu in 2016. Read less...