CALLS FOR OVERHAUL OF CEASEFIRE MONITORING SYSTEM, STRICT ACTION AGAINST VIOLATORS
NPF legislator Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, who has been raising various issues often critical of the government within the PDA-led oppositionless government, has highlighted how cease fires between the Centre with various factions, initially meant to foster peace and stability, have instead turned into a “license” for various criminal activities.
Initiating the debate, Azo factored his serious concern on the consequences of the ceasefire agreements with various Naga Political Groups (NPGs) in Nagaland during a zero-hour discussion in the Assembly on Thursday. He virtually asked the government to rein in armed cadres and direct them not to issue parallel orders and directives to the public as this has only caused widespread confusion and apprehension.
“We have a mandated government and order should be given by the state government,” he maintained. Further, he went on “The role of the state government should be crystal clear. Currently, it is full of contradictions and paradoxes. Rule of law need to be enforced.”
Azo said that the ceasefire, which was initially meant to foster peace and stability, has instead turned into a “license” for various criminal activities. He also lamented that under the guise of ceasefire, innocent people were being tortured and harassed and where “even pastors were not being spared”. He also pointed out the alarming rise of around 25 to 26 factions, a phenomenon which he described as “popping up like mushrooms” and exploiting the ceasefire to engage in nefarious activities.
He emphasized the urgent need for the state to consider measures to control the ongoing violations under the ceasefire and called for strict enforcement of the rule of law to prevent further harm to the people of Nagaland.
Azo also called for a crackdown on groups not in ceasefire agreements with the Centre and suggested that such factions should be dealt with as per the law of the land, and even banned.
He also questioned whether the ceasefire or its extension was truly necessary and that if it was, then the rules governing it needed to be immediately reviewed and changed.
Sustenance: As the ceasefire agreements with the five groups now did not have any provision for sustenance allowance or any other mechanism for compensation, the MLA suggested that the Central government give a minimum monthly sustenance allowance for members of such groups, along with monthly ration, so that they did not go around extorting general public, creating law and order problem.
He also suggested that instead of one person donning the mantle as the chairman of CFMG/CFSB, there should be three members, comprising the army, police and civilian. “We don’t need retired army or police officers. We have smart younger officers who can take charge,” he remarked, adding that he felt that cease fire monitoring mandate should also be under the state government, since currently the state government had no control.
Nienu also called for removing all individual ceasefire offices from Dimapur and housing these under a single roof, ideally based at Kohima, for their smooth functioning, wherein the CFMG/CFSB office and its staff could be housed in one building. He contended that this would also help in better coordination and quick disposal of ceasefire violation cases.
He suggested that the security to the structure could be provided by the Nagaland Police and Assam Rifles, and logistics expenditure borne by the Centre. Dy CM Patton replies: In response to concerns raised by NPF legislator Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu regarding ceasefire violations and law enforcement in Nagaland, Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton, who oversees the Home Department, provided a detailed account of the state government’s actions to address these issues.
Patton informed the Assembly that the state government had formally communicated with the Ceasefire Monitoring Group/Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFMG/CFSB) earlier this month, highlighting specific instances of ceasefire violations and requesting appropriate action. Despite increasing civil unrest, including a shutter down protest in Dimapur in April 2024 and threats issued by NSCN-K (Khango) to a local contractor, Patton assured that law enforcement agencies have remained vigilant, making regular arrests and enforcing the law.
Regarding the extension of ceasefire agreements, Patton confirmed that the Central Government had extended ceasefires with the NSCN (R) and NSCN (KN) for one year, from April 28, 2024, to April 27, 2025. Similarly, the ceasefire with NSCN-K (Khango) was extended from April 18, 2024, to April 17, 2025, and with NSCN-K (Nikki) from September 8, 2023, to September 7, 2024.
Patton also noted that regular ceasefire review meetings are held to monitor and prevent violations of the Ceasefire Ground Rules (CGR), with the most recent meeting taking place on March 27, 2024. He mentioned that there are 15 designated camps for different factions, and assured the Assembly that the police are fully committed to maintaining law and order.
Highlighting the state’s efforts against extortion, Patton revealed that from January to June 2024, 32 extortion cases were registered, leading to the arrest of 35 individuals—21 in Dimapur, five in Chumoukedima, and three in Tuensang. He also reported that a total of 106 individuals from various factions were arrested between January and August 28, 2024.
Additionally, 25 faction members were arrested in connection with 11 abduction cases, and 26 were arrested for violations of the Arms Act. The state government has sanctioned the detention of 17 individuals under the National Security Act, 1980, this year.
Patton assured that the crime situation in Nagaland remains under control, with 724 cases registered between January and June 2024, including 41 under the Arms Act, 116 related to narcotics, 154 under the NLTP Act, 26 under special laws, and 387 under various IPC provisions. Earlier in the session, Nienu appealed to the Speaker to ensure that all ministers attend the Assembly and adequately address questions raised by members.