We are fully prepared to face any eventuality: Khaplang faction of NSCN

GUWAHATI: Despite pressure from NGOs, outlawed militant outfit Khaplang faction of NSCN is reluctant to re-enter into a ceasefire arrangement with the Government of India.

The outfit in a statement stated that it has unilaterally withdrawn from the Indo-Naga ceasefire agreement and is fully prepared to face the consequences. It also said that any future political steps will solely be determined by NSCN, taking into account the interest of the Naga people and the unresolved “sovereignty issue”.

The Union ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also ruled out the possibility of re-entering into a ceasefire agreement with the Naga insurgents.

Satyendra Garg, Home Ministry Joint Secretary in-charge of North East Affairs, during his visit to Meghalaya recently had said, "There’s no official communication on this (re-entering into ceasefire with NSCN-K) from the Government of India, and at this moment there are no initiatives from our side. Counter-insurgency operations against the Khaplang outfit will continue.”

Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang had earlier appealed to the government to resume a ceasefire agreement with the NSCN-K.

An eight-member team of the apex body of Nagas, Naga Hoho and Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) went to Myanmar and requested SS Khaplang, leader of the group, restart the peace process.

Last year after the abrogation of ceasefire, the Khaplang faction carried out strikes in Arunachal and Manipur. Khaplang faction along with other outfits ambushed and killed 18 jawans on June 4 last year following which the Government of India launched an offensive against the militants.