SS Khaplang to skip Naga ceasefire talks in Myanmar

NEW DELHI: As representatives of Naga Hoho, the apex body of Naga tribes, head to Myanmar to persuade NSCN (Khaplang) to resume the ceasefire it had abrogated in March, NSCN(K) chairman SS Khaplang has reportedly excused himself from meeting them, citing health reasons. He has instead deputed the outfit's vice-chairman Khango Konyak and top military commander Nikki Sumi to talk to the Naga representatives.

Incidentally, self-styled Lt Gen Nikki Sumi was the mastermind behind the June 4 ambush in Chandel, Manipur, which killed 18 Army personnel.

The Naga Hoho delegation, which will also comprise representatives of the Eastern Naga People's Organization (ENPO), is expected to carry the Nagaland government and state legislature's message to NSCN(K) to rethink its decision to abrogate the ceasefire with the government of India, and become part of a final Naga peace settlement.

Earlier this month, the rival NSCN(I-M) faction had entered into a peace accord with the government, which reportedly laid down the 'framework' within which the terms of a final Naga settlement are to be worked out.

Incidentally, the home ministry is not too hopeful about the outcome of the Naga Hoho's efforts to persuade NSCN (Khaplang) to revive its truce in Nagaland.

"Khaplang being a Myanmarese Naga may not see much benefit in a peace settlement limited to the Indian side. Even if Nikki Sumi and Khango Konyak, both of whom are Indian nationals, show an interest in resuming the ceasefire, they may not like to rebel against Khaplang. Besides, even if they were to consider crossing over, the NIA case against Sumi relating to the June 4 ambush is too serious to offer him amnesty or even bail," an officer pointed out.

Meanwhile, home ministry officials have written to the ministry of defence conveying that there will be no change in enforcement of the ceasefire ground rules in Nagaland. This follows a clarification to this effect from the Centre's interlocutor for Naga talks, RN Ravi.