Govt denies NSCN (IM) leaders to travel to Swu's hometown

[Ray]

Govt denies NSCN (IM) leaders to travel to Swu's hometown in Nagaland

NEW DELHI: Government and Naga insurgent group NSCN (IM) are heading for 'tense' days ahead as the Union home ministry on Saturday denied permission to the banned outfit cadres to travel to Zunheboto, the hometown of their chairman Isaac Chishi Swu, under their own security.

As the ministry wants them to visit under government security citing risk to lives of their leaders from rival groups, the issue saw some heated exchanges between the NSCN (IM) and government representatives in Nagaland.

Sources privy to the developments said that the tiff erupted when NSCN (IM) leader V S Atem wrote to home ministry seeking permission for the visit of the outfit's leadership to at the invitation of Sumi Hoho, an influential tribal socio-cultural organization.

The ministry, however, conveyed to the militant group that the ground situation in the Nagaland town was not conducive for the visit due to the factional rivalry among two other insurgent groups - NSCN's Khaplang and Khole-Kitovi factions.

The NSCN (IM), which has been in 'ceasefire' mode with the government since 1997, members insisted that they would travel to Zunheboto with their armed cadres, prompting the Centre to order Assam Rifles to stop the journey by putting up barricades.

Sources said the ministry's expressed that it would allow the travel only after ensuring foolproof security of NSCN (IM) general secretary T Muivah, Swu and others as they are "highly threatened" persons and getting proper assessment of the ground situation.

It also put other conditions: that the delegation will not have any armed NSCN (IM) cadre, there will not be more than 20 vehicles in the convoy, no public meeting and no press conference during the trip, besides travelling under government security.

Since ensuring proper security along the road and in Zunheboto and making assessment of the ground situation cannot be done overnight, the ministry has asked the NSCN (IM) leadership to have patience till all the arrangements are made, sources said.

Govt denies NSCN (IM) leaders to travel to Swu’s hometown in Nagaland - The Times of India

The major problem these days is not any confrontation with the SF, but the warring that is there between the factions for supremacy.

It is a correct action taken by the Govt.

 

[Payeng]

Yes, it is a political problem now a days and a political solution is demanded for it. Good step by the Government.