The peace accord signed between the NSCN(I-M) (National Socialist Council of Nagaland(Issac Muivah)) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August this year, was a major breakthrough for India in containing insurgency in the North-East. The NSCN, a Naga nationalist Military group, was formed in 1980 by Issac Swu, T. Muivah and S.S. Khaplang. It later split into two factions: NSCN(I-M) led by Issac Swu and T. Muivah, and the NSCN(K) led by S.S. Khaplang. The main objective of both the NSCN factions is to establish a sovereign state, "Nagalim", unifying all the areas inhabited by the Nagas in North-Eastern India and northern Myanmar.
The formidable presence of NSCN(I-M) in Nagaland and various parts of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh was a huge security concern for India. With the peace treaty signed, the central government also ensured that the NSCN(I-M) is distanced from other insurgent groups such as the NSCN(K) (National Socialist Council of Nagaland(Khaplang)), ULFA (United liberation Front of Assam), National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Songbijit and KLO (Kamtapur Liberation Organisation) which had come together under an umbrella organisation known as the UNLFW (United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia). The major terror attack in Manipur in June this year was the handiwork of UNLFW. The biggest benefit of the accord will be in respect with China. China has been known to be covertly aiding UNLFW and other insurgent groups. With the peace accord signed India has ensured that NSCN(I-M) will share much needed intelligence, thus helping Indian Armed Forces to strengthen their position in the North-East.
On paper, everything is running smoothly but the ground reality has been different altogether. Since the signing of the peace accord, there have been reports of the NSCN(I-M) setting up training camps in Manipur and recruiting cadres. This may contribute to flare-up of inter-tribal tensions in the fragile state which is already fraught with communal tensions. Cases of extortion, arms and drugs smuggling have risen and it is reported that most of these are carried out by NSCN(I-M) cadres. The NSCN(I-M) is looking to increase its 2500 strong cadre by another 1000 from Manipur. With the legitimacy of the peace accord, it is looking to expand its operations in Manipur. The parallel government of NSCN(I-M) in Nagaland is running smoothly.
The possibility of the Manipur insurgents uniting against the NSCN(I-M) looms large and the NSCN(K) will not let go of any opportunity to destabilise the region by directly supporting the Manipur insurgents. The Centre must ensure that peace in Manipur is not broken due to the NSCN(I-M)'s activities which might worsen the conditions in the coming months.
The formidable presence of NSCN(I-M) in Nagaland and various parts of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh was a huge security concern for India. With the peace treaty signed, the central government also ensured that the NSCN(I-M) is distanced from other insurgent groups such as the NSCN(K) (National Socialist Council of Nagaland(Khaplang)), ULFA (United liberation Front of Assam), National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Songbijit and KLO (Kamtapur Liberation Organisation) which had come together under an umbrella organisation known as the UNLFW (United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia). The major terror attack in Manipur in June this year was the handiwork of UNLFW. The biggest benefit of the accord will be in respect with China. China has been known to be covertly aiding UNLFW and other insurgent groups. With the peace accord signed India has ensured that NSCN(I-M) will share much needed intelligence, thus helping Indian Armed Forces to strengthen their position in the North-East.
On paper, everything is running smoothly but the ground reality has been different altogether. Since the signing of the peace accord, there have been reports of the NSCN(I-M) setting up training camps in Manipur and recruiting cadres. This may contribute to flare-up of inter-tribal tensions in the fragile state which is already fraught with communal tensions. Cases of extortion, arms and drugs smuggling have risen and it is reported that most of these are carried out by NSCN(I-M) cadres. The NSCN(I-M) is looking to increase its 2500 strong cadre by another 1000 from Manipur. With the legitimacy of the peace accord, it is looking to expand its operations in Manipur. The parallel government of NSCN(I-M) in Nagaland is running smoothly.
The possibility of the Manipur insurgents uniting against the NSCN(I-M) looms large and the NSCN(K) will not let go of any opportunity to destabilise the region by directly supporting the Manipur insurgents. The Centre must ensure that peace in Manipur is not broken due to the NSCN(I-M)'s activities which might worsen the conditions in the coming months.
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