NSCN, Centre to ensure that cease-fire holds

NEW DELHI, Dec 18: In a step forward in the Nagaland peace process, the Centre and the dominant faction of the National Socialist Council o...

NEW DELHI, Dec 18: In a step forward in the Nagaland peace process, the Centre and the dominant faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) have agreed to a monitoring mechanism to ensure that their ceasefire holds.

The Home Ministry announced today that the two sides had agreed to a set of 11 ground rules for an “effective and unambiguous” implementation of the ceasefire.

The Centre and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) first entered into a ceasefire on July 25 for a three-month period. The ceasefire was extended for another three-month period, with the Centre unilaterally announcing a set of ground rules and hoping that the militants would go along with them. The insurgent group now appears to have agreed to most of the rules.

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Under the accepted ground rules, the NSCN (IM) cadres would not parade in uniform or with arms in public places. And just as the armed forces have ceased operations against the insurgents, the NSCN (IM) would not carry out any offensive operation leading to loss of life or property.

The NSCN (I-M) would also not blockade roads or disrupt communications and economic activity.

The NSCN (I-M) maintains that it did not indulge in extortion of money or essential supplies and intimidation of government employees. But during the negotiations, they agreed to `prevent’ such acts in the interest of peace.