(TibetanReview.net, Nov22’19) – Top commanders of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN, Isak-Muivah) faction of a separatist Naga movement in India are camping in China to seek its help to fight India, reported news18.com Nov 21.
“China will take advantage of these anti-Indian groups. It cannot directly start a war against India, but their agencies are always trying to create problems in the northeast through the NSCN, ULFA and Manipuri insurgent groups. Basically, China uses these outfits to wage a proxy war against India,” the report quoted former director general (Special Branch) of Assam Police, Pallab Bhattacharyya, as saying.
The report said Phungting Shimrang, former chief and senior member of the NSCN-IM, had gone to Yunnan province of China with two of his trusted comrades.
It quoted a leader of the Yung Aung-led NSCN-Khaplang faction as saying, “Phungting and his two comrades reached China via eastern Nagaland (Naga self-administered areas in Myanmar) in the second half of October. The three leaders are trying to talk to the Chinese authorities for aid in their fight against India.”
He was further quoted as saying, “NSCN-IM chief Anthony Shimray has also left the outfit’s headquarters camp in Hebron and is staying in an undisclosed location along the India-Myanmar border. More than 3,000 cadres of the IM faction have been were camping in the border areas since October.”
A peace process has been going on for decades between the insurgent groups and the government India and a deal has been reported to be close to being reached.
The report said the Government of India had ruled out a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas as demanded by the NSCN-IM and made it clear that the endless negotiations with the insurgent group under the shadow of guns was not acceptable to it.
The report quoted Paresh Baruah, the chief of United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) faction from the neighbouring state of Assam as saying, “Phungting Shimrang will not return to Camp Hebron along with his comrades. They have realised that GOI is not ready to give more power to the Nagas, especially as far as the flag and constitution are concerned. Hence, they are ready to fight again.”
ULFA too is also known to have friendly ties with the Chinese government.
Meanwhile, the final talks between the Centre and Nagas is likely to stretch further as the modalities of the agreement are yet to be finalized, the report said, ruling out a deal being reached before Christmas.
Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy was stated to have told the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) that there has been considerable progress in the ongoing Naga peace talks and almost all the Naga underground groups were engaging with the Central government in the process.
