In the backdrop of NSCN-K (Khango) group serving “death penalty/capital punishment” on the proprietor of KKB Rülhou, the Ceasefire Monitoring Group/Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFMG/CFSB) chairman, Lt Gen (Retd) Amarjeet Singh Bedi, has cautioned that violation of the ceasefire round rules (CFGR) would not be tolerated.
Addressing media persons at his office at New Ministers Hill, here on Saturday, Bedi said NSCN-K (Khango) had been held accountable for violation of some of the CFGR and subsequently the group had in written committed to CFMG that it was not their intention to issue death threats to anybody and that they have been misconstrued. He said NSCN K (Khango) had also committed that the group would endeavour to resolve the issue at the earliest.
Bedi pointed out that government of India signed ceasefire agreement with five Naga groups over a period of time including NSCN (I-M) in 1997, NSCN (U) in 2012, NSCN (R) in 2015, NSCN K (Khango) in 2019 and NSCN (Nikki) in 2021.
He said the ceasefire had been signed with the aim to usher in peace on the ground so the political discussions to resolve the Naga issue could move ahead in an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect and peaceful conditions.
Bedi said the Ceasefire has been signed incorporating elaborate CFGR to which the Naga groups, who were signatories to the ceasefire agreement with the Government of India, have committed to adhere to.
He added that certain support instruments (designated camps, ceasefire identity cards, ceasefire offices) had been provided to the groups purely for administrative purposes to undertake ceasefire related tasks as well as ensure smooth continuation of the ceasefire. “These facilities are in no way meant to cause inconvenience to the common public as also in no way accord immunity to any Group to indulge in violations of Ceasefire Ground Rules or unlawful activities,” chairman clarified.
He said that a ceasefire mechanism for Nagaland had been established to monitor/supervise adherence to the CFGR. The mechanism consists of representatives of the state government, Nagaland police, security agencies and ceasefire supervisory board of various groups with Bedi as the chairman of the CFMG/CFSB.
He disclosed that regular meetings of CFMG/CFSB were held to resolve any differing perceptions or points of confrontations on the CFGR between the two sides. In addition, Bedi said CFMG/CFSB office also monitors the adherence to CFGR by both sides on a daily basis and resolves the differences. He said that any issue raised/ brought to the notice of the CFMG/CFSB mechanism were promptly addressed and resolved.
Bedi pointed out that the efficacy of the Ceasefire mechanism could be judged by the prevalence of peaceful environment Nagas have enjoyed for so many years as well as continuation of the Political negotiations to resolve the Naga political issue. With regard to the present imbroglio involving NSCN K (Khango), Bedi informed that though no complaint had been received by CFMG office, suo moto cognizance of the media reports on the subject had been taken.
He said the issue had been continuously monitored by CFMG office and the group had been held accountable to the provisions laid down in the CFGR. He informed that on being questioned, NSCN K (Khango) responded in written that the group functions purely on voluntary contributions and their statement to apprise, Kezhaleo Rülho, the proprietor of M/S KKB Rülho firm, of certain provisions of their “govt yehzabo” had been misinterpreted as life/capital punishment threat.
Bedi said a meeting of the CFSB on the subject had also been held on Saturday morning with representatives of all the agencies. He said Nagaland police have also registered suo moto FIR on the subject and that they have been requested to undertake thorough investigation of the incident.
Bedi assured that anyone found guilty would be dealt with as per the provisions of law.
The chairman disclosed that NSCN K (Khango) also assured the CFSB that they would adhere to all the provisions of CFGR and would resolve the issue with the concerned parties at the earliest.
While admitting that CFMG/CFSB was only there to facilitate and observe adherence to the CFGR by the signatories, he said if approached, the board was ready to facilitate a discussion between the conflicting parties so the matter can be amicably resolved.
He expressed hope that the matter would be resolved early so peace would prevail and the matter would be prevented from further escalation. Answering to a query on whether the groups could collect any form of tax, Bedi reiterated the provision in the CFGR that such actions were in violations.
He said the groups had assured that they would only take money from “voluntary contributions” which would be utilised in the efforts towards a peaceful solution. Bedi said CFMG/CFSB would be closely monitoring any such violations and would take the violators to task. He encouraged the general public to lodge any complaints in this regard so the Board would take actions against such violations.
CFMG chairman disclosed that the Board has a long list of violations in its possession which have been resolved over the past 27 years since its formation.