Another reminder

The recent six-hour shutters-down protest organized by the National Highway Area Village Councils’ Forum (NHAVCF) on June 11 serves as a significant indicator of public frustration. Comprising 13 villages along National Highway 29, the Forum’s action drew spontaneous support, underscoring growing dissatisfaction with the enforcement of law and order under the current Cease Fire Ground Rules (CFGR).The 6-hour shutters down protest coincided with the visit of A.K. Mishra, the Government of India’s representative for consultations with various Naga Political Groups (NPGs) and thus, has sent a strong message on the need to address the grey areas in the CFGR. The Forum had initially intended to submit a memorandum directly to A.K. Mishra, but since it could not due to whatever reasons, the document was instead handed to the Deputy Commissioner of Chümoukedima. In the memorandum, the Forum called into question the CFGR for ambiguity in the clauses that practically obstruct law enforcement. The rules prohibit police and security personnel from entering designated ceasefire offices or camps to pursue suspects without the concurrence of the CFSB/CFMG even when credible evidence exists. At the heart of the protest was the incident on May 23 at Unity Village, where an armed group entered the home of a rival cadre, fired shots, and then sought refuge in a ceasefire monitoring office. Despite having CCTV footage and clear identification of the culprits, police were unable to make arrests due to the restrictions imposed by the CFGR. Since the initial ceasefire in 1997, the number of Naga factions has surged from four to nearly 29, complicating an already delicate peace process. This proliferation demands stronger oversight and clearer guidelines to ensure that the ceasefire framework does not inadvertently add to the problem. According to Forum chairman Sebastian Zumvü, the protest was intentionally non-coercive. Business owners were left to decide for themselves whether or not to participate. No volunteers were deployed to enforce the shutdown, and no pressure tactics were used. The protest was, in essence, a symbolic yet deeply meaningful expression of discontent-one that resonated strongly with local residents. The Forum warned, that under the guise of cease fire and the inherent grey areas within the CFGR, what is being witnessed is how these offices have been turned into “safe havens” for offenders. It said this has only undermined both public peace and safety and the credibility of the ceasefire process itself. When such spaces, located within civilian areas, become shields for lawbreakers, the very intent of the ceasefire-peace and security-is compromised. The central and state governments must address these concerns with urgency. In this regard, the CSOs need to reflect public grievances and act as bridge with the stakeholders. The rule of law cannot afford to be impeded by technicalities or loopholes in ceasefire agreement and the framework of implementations. Law enforcement must be given liberty to act decisively within the bounds of law, to hold those accountable for committing offenses when public safety is at stake. Ultimately, sustainable peace requires trust-not just in political negotiations but also in the institutions responsible for upholding justice. The stakeholders must ensure that ceasefire areas do not become sanctuaries for impunity as it is crucial for maintaining both public confidence towards a peaceful solution.