Chümoukedima District Village Councils’ Association (CDVCA) has repeated its demand for a review of the ceasefire ground rules (CFGRs),Wednesday after highlighting issues related with the violation of ceasefire ground rules.
This was contained in a representation by CDVCA convenor Razouvotuo Chatsu and secretary Vika H Chishi addressed to the chairman, Ceasefire Monitoring Group wherein the latter was urged to intervene and urgently look into issues such as misuse of designated camps, public display of arms etc.
Misuse of designated camps: CDVA alleged that factions that entered into cease fire agreement with the government of India, frequently misused the designated camps. According to CDVCA the designated camps were being converted into “safe havens” by those who have perpetrated criminal activities that “ostensibly” bar law-enforcing agencies from entering such premises.
CDVCA said these “so-called ceasefire supervisory offices” of the factions, often located in the heart of populated areas, were often used for illegal detention of civilians abducted for ransom or extortion. CDVCA said a wrong perception has been harboured by the factions that such premises were inviolable by the law enforcing agencies and that such “illegal activities” were covered by the ceasefire ground rules.
In view of such misuses, CDVCA demanded that the cease ground rules be amended to : a) Upon receipt of verified information that those places were harbouring criminals, or were being used as illegal detention centres, the CFMB/ CFMG must authorize/ enable the police to raid or conduct searches in those premises; b) Ceasefire Supervisory offices of the factions be removed from civilian/ populated areas; and c) A full-proof mechanism be worked out so that designated offices were not misused in any manner, and that the CFGRs were strictly adhered to in letter and spirit.
Public display of arms: CDVCA pointed out that functionaries of factions move around in public places with openly display arms and accompanied by bodyguards armed with sophisticated weapons. CDVCA open display of arms created fear psychosis in the minds of the general public and also of legalizes the unsavoury activities of the functionaries. According to CDVCA, enabling functionaries to openly display arms and bodyguards created a false sense of invincibility and emboldened factions in perpetrating illegal activities with impunity.
CDVCA demanded that card holders and their PSOs/ bodyguards conceal their weapons.
Further, CDVCA said providing security cover to the leaders of various factions made no sense since it not only depleted the police resources but also demoralizes the police personnel. CDVCA maintained that factions have their own security arrangements since most of the functionaries were card holders.
Random issuance of cards: CDVCA demanded that details of card holders must be made public and that cards should be issued frugally as most of the card holders believe that such cards were license by the Government of India to do whatever they want.
Laundering of criminal cases: CDVCA claimed that a large number of cadres of various factions in ceasefire with the government of India were wanted in many criminal cases by central agencies such as ED, NIA etc and the State Police. In some cases, non-bailable warrants also exist. “It would appear that once wanted cadres enter into Ceasefire agreements, or join any of the factions in Ceasefire Agreements with the Government of India, their crimes are laundered!” CDVCA said and suggested working out a mechanism to bring the guilty to book.
Ban on recruitment: CDVCA also demanded total halt to recruitment of cadres by all factions in ceasefire agreement since most join the factions only to extort or indulge in illegal activities.
Further, CDVCA stated that the factions must desist from procuring arms and ammunitions as they professed to be working to bring a final solution to the Naga political problem.
Instead, CDVCA said fresh recruitment and procurement of arms and ammunitions gave the impression that the factions were actually preparing to fight another day.