War-like situation created by Myanmar army: NSCN (K)

The NSCN (K), the Naga rebel group on Wednesday said Myanmar army has created a "war-like situation" in Naga-inhibited areas in the neighbouring country despite the outfit's ceasefire agreement signed in 2012.

"Presently, Myanmar army has created a war-like situation in the Naga-inhabited areas by deploying heavy military forces and artillery causing havoc and uneasiness among the Naga people. A few days ago, Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) indiscriminately fired artillery and heavy guns in the jungles and near populated areas in Konyak region, trying to ignite fear and panic in the minds of the revolutionaries and common people alike," Joseph Lamkang, a leader of the banned outfit said in a statement.

DH recently reported about Myanmar army intensified operations against the outfit, which was launched in January this year. Sources said the Tatmadaw stepped up the crackdown as the NSCN (K) allegedly violated a vital condition in the ceasefire by providing shelter and training to other militant groups based in Northeast India such as Ulfa (Independent), NDFB (S) and KLO.

"In complete violation of the ceasefire ground rules, Myanmar Army's Northern Command comprising of eight battalions forced their way into council headquarters at Taka on January 29, 2019. However, NSCN and Naga Army maintained utmost restraint and vacated the headquarters. In the midst of the commotion, some senior members (ceasefire delegation team) and Naga Army cadres were arrested by Myanmar army under false implications, for which they are confined in Khamti prison till today," the oufit alleged.

The statement said India was helping the Myanmar army to carry out the operation by providing logistic support.

Sources said the crackdown could be due to India's constant diplomatic pressure on Myanmar as the NSCN (Khaplang) had attacked security forces in the Northeast since it abrogated ceasefire in 2015. Two Assam Rifles jawans were killed and three others were injured in Mon district of Nagaland on Saturday by the outfit. Another faction of the outfit, led by Khango Konyak recently agreed to join peace talks, which was underway between NSCN (IM) and the Centre since 1997.

NSCN (IM) signed a broad framework agreement with the Centre in August 2015 and is hoping to sign a final agreement soon.

Security officials here said after the Myanmar crackdown the oufits were now looking at China for shelter as similar crackdown was also launched in Bhutan in 2003 and in Bangladesh in 2009-2010.