In a significant development reflecting growing public dissatisfaction, the National Highway Area Village Councils Forum (NHVCF), comprising 13 village councils, has demanded strict implementation and urgent rectification of the Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR), which the Forum claims are being blatantly misused by underground cadres under the guise of political activity.
In a memorandum addressed to Interlocutor for the Naga peace talks, the Forum called for strict implementation and urgent rectification of the Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR), in the wake of a violent incident on May 23 at Unity Village involving armed cadres of the NSCN (Khango) faction.
The memorandum, signed by Convenor Sebastian Zumvu and Secretary Vika H Chishi, recalled the “carnage” that took place when around 30 armed members of the NSCN (Khango) group entered a private compound at Unity Village and opened indiscriminate fire in an attempt to assassinate a rival functionary. “These cadres fired indiscriminately thereby causing panic and fear psychosis in the minds of the villagers,” the Forum stated, adding that several of the armed men were identified through CCTV footage and named in the FIR.
While the Forum appreciated the prompt response by the Ceasefire Monitoring Supervisory Board (CMSB)—which coordinated with local police and the Assam Rifles to raid the residence of the accused mastermind, Khekato Kinimi—it lamented that the accused evaded arrest by taking refuge in a designated Ceasefire Monitoring Office, where security forces were restricted from entering due to CFGR limitations.
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“This is not the first time identified criminals have taken refuge in the designated Ceasefire Monitoring Offices,” the Forum stated, adding that these offices have become “safe havens for criminals posing as Naga political activists.”
The Forum demanded that a crime should be considered as a crime and the culprits punished according to the provisions of the laws of the land irrespective of whether the perpetrators are affiliated to any political outfit or not; and that the perpetrators of the dastardly act at Unity village on May 23, 2025 be apprehended and brought to book without any further delay.
It also demanded that provisions of the Ceasefire Ground Rules be strictly implemented in letter and spirit so that cadres do not roam around in uniform and with arms, or indulge in extortion/ illegal taxation, kidnapping or abduction for ransom;
The Forum reiterated that Ceasefire Monitoring Offices of the factions should be done away with because these places have been converted into safe havens for criminals, and all cadres of the factions be concentrated in their designated camps, and as and when identified criminals are found to be taking refuge in any place including designated offices or camps, the security forces should be empowered to enter and apprehend law breakers, for which the Cease Fire Ground Rules need to be amended.
It further said since the Naga peace talks have been concluded on October 31, 2019, as had been stated by the then Interlocutor, RN Ravi on the floor of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the Forum demand that a logical conclusion be brought about without any delay so that the people of Nagaland can live normal lives like any of their fellow citizens in the rest of the country.
