Dimapur | August 26 : In an unexpected development, two separate unrelated incidents has been reported one from Tizit under Mon district and the other from Mekokla village under Wokha district. In the first incident, it was informed that one SS Major belonging to the National Socialist Council of Nagalim was killed in a firing incident involving an Assam Rifles patrol party. Today’s incident at Tizit appears to be a step backward in the peace process currently underway between the Government of India and the NSCN/GPRN. It is also a jolt to the decade old ceasefire agreement signed between the two ‘entities’. Meanwhile in the second incident at Mekokla village one cadre belonging to the Khaplang group of the NSCN was killed in factional fighting with cadres of the Isak and Muivah group of the NSCN. The incident at Mekokla will be a set back to the tireless efforts being put in for maintaining peace between the Naga armed groups. Today’s factional feud will also question the credibility of the ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’. Both the NSCN groups’ involved in today’s clash along with the NNC/FGN are party to the ‘covenant’.
Meanwhile both incidents reported today have been confirmed through an official statement issued by Nagaland Chief Secretary Lalthara. The official press communiqué from the Nagaland government informed that a security coordination meeting was held in the office of the Home Minister at 1 pm to review the law and order situation arising out of what it termed as “unfortunate incident” at Tizit. The official State communiqué identified the SS Major killed as one Ngachonmi Tangkhul. On the other incident at Mekokla village, the victim has been identified as Zaremo Lotha of Bhandari village belonging to the GPRN/NSCN.
According to the Nagaland Chief Secretary, the meeting resolved to appeal to all sections of society, including the underground groups as well as the police and CPMF, to exercise utmost restraint while dealing with each other “so as not to vitiate the present peaceful atmosphere in the State”. The meeting has also appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs to urgently call for a Ceasefire Supervisory Board and Ceasefire Monitoring Group meeting in the absence of its Chairman, Lt Gen Mandhata Singh, who is on leave. The CFMG/CFSB meeting is also suggested to be held under the chairmanship of a senior officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs ‘urgently’ so as to diffuse the situation and sort out all misunderstandings.