NSCN-IM justifies its leaders getting Z-plus security from Govt of India

DIMAPUR: Amid the ongoing peace talk process, the Isaak-Muivah faction of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has welcomed the Government of India's move to accord Z-Plus security to its top leadership. Now, amid a raging debate over its leadership getting Z-Plus security, the group has issued a release justifying the same.

Issuing a release, the NSCN(IM) stated that "the Government of India (GoI) giving Z Plus category of security to the Collective Leadership of NSCN is a matter of GoI showing seriousness in dealing with NSCN leaders who carry the Naga political issue as they have come to New Delhi on GoI invitation to carry forward the Naga political talk."

The group said that the leaders were extended the high profile security because they carried the Naga political mandate after the Centre signed ceasefire with the insurgent group to pave way for a 'final solution.'

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"It is pertinent to point out the genesis of the ongoing Indo-Naga political talks beginning from 1997 onwards after ceasefire came into effect. The Government of India (GoI), after realizing the futility of seeking a military solution to the Naga political movement came looking for NSCN Collective Leadership who were based abroad at that time," the NSCN (IM) said in its release.

The MIP of the insurgent group pointed out that Indian Prime Minister P V Narashimha Rao once went all the way to Paris (France) in 1995 to meet NSCN leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah.

The NSCN, however, put the condition to start political negotiation if the Government of India recognizes Naga issue as political and stopped terming it as India’s “Internal Law and Order Issue”, it said.

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A ceasefire was officially declared on August 1, 1997, and it was agreed that political dialogue shall be at the highest level, i.e. Prime Minister Level.

Accordingly, talks were held abroad in countries like Paris (France), New York (USA), The Hague (Netherlands), Bangkok (Thailand) and Chiangmai (Thailand), Zurich (Switzerland), Geneva (Switzerland), Osaka (Japan), Kuala-Lumpur (Malaysia), Vienna (Austria) and Milan (Italy), the NSCN-IM recalled.

The NSCN-IM further added that the Indo-Naga political talks changed for the better with the signing of the Amsterdam Joint Communique on July 11, 2002, giving official recognition to the “Unique history and situation of the Nagas.

"To push the talk faster with closer interaction, the GoI invited NSCN leaders to come to New Delhi giving full commitment to take care of their security concern," the NSCN-IM said, "Accepting the invitation NSCN Chairman Mr. Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Mr. Th. Muivah came to New Delhi in December 2002. Prior to this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on the 18th November 2002, in Milan (Italy) to formalize their travel to New Delhi free from security risk."

Once the NSCN Collective Leadership reached New Delhi they were provided a Z-plus category security arrangement with IB quarter as their official residence.

They were extended this high profile security arrangement given the fact that they carry the Naga political mandate and they hold the Naga issue, the release added.

"Thus, everything was done on GoI’s initiative and not something asked by NSCN. This also reflects the seriousness of the GoI towards NSCN leadership and the issue they represent," the insurgent group added..

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