The Chumoukedima District Village Councils’ Association (CDVCA), comprising all village councils in the district, has demanded urgent review and amendment of the Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR), citing their rampant misuse by underground factions and the resulting threats to public safety and law and order.
In a representation to the Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG), the Association expressed concerned that designated camps of factions under ceasefire agreements with the Government of India have been “frequently misused” and turned into safe havens for criminals, and the law-enforcing agencies are ostensibly barred from entering these premises.
According to CDVCA, these so-called Ceasefire Supervisory Offices of the factions, often located in the heart of populated areas, have often been used for illegal detention of civilians abducted for ransom or extortion. It said a wrong perception has been harboured by the factions that these premises are inviolable by the law enforcing agencies and that their illegal activities are covered by the Ceasefire Ground Rules.
It demanded amendments to Ceasefire Ground Rules so that the CFMB/CFMG can authorize/enable the police to raid or conduct searches in these premises upon receipt of verified information that these places are harbouring criminals or are being used as illegal detention centres.
It also demanded to shift Ceasefire Supervisory Officers of the factions away from civilian areas and put in place a full-proof mechanism to prevent misuse of the designated offices in any manner and ensure that the Ceasefire Ground Rules are strictly adhered to in letter and spirit.
The Association further expressed alarm over the “public display of arms” by functionaries of the factions, who often move about with armed bodyguards carrying sophisticated weapons. This practice, it said, not only creates a fear psychosis among the general public but also emboldens cadres to carry out illegal activities with impunity, giving them a false sense of invincibility. CDVCA urged that card holders and their bodyguards must conceal their weapons to prevent intimidation of civilians.
Another issue flagged was the “random issuance of cards” to cadres of underground factions. CDVCA said that details of card holders must be made public and also these cards should be issued frugally because most of the card holders consider possession of these cards as license by the Government of India to do whatever they want.
The representation also accused the ceasefire arrangement of facilitating the “laundering” of criminal cases. It pointed out that a large number of cadres from various factions in ceasefire with the Government of India are wanted in many criminal cases by central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the State Police, some even facing non-bailable warrants.
CDVCA alleged, once these individuals enter into ceasefire agreements or join factions under ceasefire, their “crimes are laundered!” It called for a concrete mechanism to bring the guilty to book.
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The Association also questioned the rationale of providing state security cover to leaders of underground factions. It said such a practice not only depletes the police resources but also demoralizes the police personnel, since most of these functionaries are card holders and have their own security arrangements.
On the issue of recruitment, the Association stressed that all factions under ceasefire agreements with the Government of India must be strictly prohibited from inducting new cadres, “since most of the cadres join the factions to extort or indulge in illegal activities”.
It also demanded a ban on the procurement of arms and ammunition by these factions. “Fresh recruitment and procurement of arms and ammunitions gives the impression that they are preparing to fight another day. Furthermore, most of the new recruits join the factions only to make their ends meet through illegal means,” it added.
