Rumble in the NSCN-K
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: June 14 2011 -
The NSCN-K has effectively split vertically. One group has chosen to rally behind SS Khaplang, Chairman, NSCN-K and the other has gravitated around Kitovi Zhimoni, general secretary of the party and his understudy Azheto Lophy, senior leader. If this split was the result of a leadership struggle it would have remained just an internal problem within the party.
The reality however is that the split has ruptured the very foundation on which the NSCN-K rests on. With repeated pressure from Naga civic bodies particularly from the church Zhimomi and company caved in to the popular demand for Naga unity as the Nagas try to work out a settlement with the Government of India.
The writing on the wall appeared when the NSCN-K agreed for talks with the GoI. The logical question followed how different were the NSCN-K’s demands from those of NSCN-IM that it merited a separate negotiation.
If the NSCN-K had chosen to stay away from talks or negotiations, no matter how little its clout may be the GoI would have been willy nilly forced to deal with it as a separate entity. In the end the IM has effectively used the civic bodies to deal the NSCN-K a body blow.
Having said that, the deep rift in ideology between the two NSCNs remain unaddressed. The NSCN-K had succeeded in presenting itself as a representative of a Naga polity which seeks to co-exist in comparative harmony with its neighbours. This is quite in contrast with the NSCN-IM which is regarded as being abrasive while dealing with its neighbours.
Seen from this end the relevance of the NSCN-K remains. One only has to recollect recent developments within the Naga polity of groups which have emerged to stamp their authority on areas, which for whatever reason, feel they are being sidelined or subdued by more powerful forces. These effects have been felt both in Nagaland and Manipur.
Since what has been done cannot be undone the NSCN-K has now to mend its fences. It cannot allow itself to be seen as an anti talk front particularly so after it itself had made overtures to it. One can empathise with those who released the first salvo to trigger the rift.
One can also empathise with those who retaliated and the manner in which it was done. However a prolonged expulsion and counter expulsion process can only be counter productive.
If faith in the perceived cause still remains, that could be the basis of dialogue between the confronting groups. For us people in the neighbourhood it seems that peace negotiations are gravitating towards a Nagaland centric pole.
Since talks at whatever level it may be has a bearing on the peoples of Mnaipur, Assam and Arunachal all development will be keenly watched and studied.
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