Peace talks to suffer if Myanmar Army does not free Leaders: NSCN-K

Guwahati, April 13, 2019:

In the aftermath of the Myanmar army’s crackdown against North-East militants, the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland- Khaplang (NSCN-K) has stated that it will struggle to keep up the peace talks with the Myanmar military if it does not release the captured NSCN-K soldiers, reported The Irrawaddy on Friday.

Ten of the insurgent group’s political leaders and six fighters, including captains, had been captured by the Myanmar army after taking control of the NSCN-K headquarters in the Sagaing Region.

Five of the detainees were released on April 5, leaving the fighters and the five leaders charged under the Unlawful Associations Act in custody, NSCN-K liaison officer Jüvlengthong (or Cue Hlaing Thong) told the Irrawaddy.

He said the six fighters were being held by the military and the leaders by the Khamti district police.

The NSCN-K has run afoul of the Myanmar administration in recent times for supporting rebel groups from Assam and Manipur such as the ULFA (I).

It may be mentioned that the NSCN-K wants to bring the Nagas living on either side of the Myanmar-India border under one rule and has asked for tri-partite negotiations between it and Governments from both countries.