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North East-Nagaland : BJP-NSCN (IM) honeymoon ends on a “diabolic” note

	April 19, 2004

In what can be called a major setback not only to the Vajpayee Government, but also to the Naga peace process, the militant outfit Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland, Isac-Muviah faction, (NSCN-IM), has come down heavily on the BJP.

The NSCN(IM), which had been negotiating with the Vajpayee Government, on April 16 described the BJP’s character as “diabolical”, signalling the end of its cordial relationship with a party whose “wisdom and sincerity” it praised not long ago.

The NSCN (I-M)’s outburst against the BJP was the first since Prime Minister Vajpayee held talks with its “collective leadership” in December 2002. The militant group had admitted to being impressed with the National Democratic Alliance’s sincerity after its top leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah visited New Delhi.

The NSCN (I-M)’s information and publicity wing said the BJP was “allowed” to open its account in the state with seven seats in the last Assembly elections by the “liberal and down-to-earth Nagas” in the hope that the party would take steps to solve their problems.

The group said the BJP instead changed its stand on the Naga political issue, especially the integration of contiguous Naga-inhabited areas.

It pointed out that the party, in a recent resolution, used words like “terrorist” and “separatist” to describe the over five-decades-old “armed struggle” in Nagaland, which Vajpayee had referred to as “a unique political problem” during his visit to the state last year. Use of such words, it said, illustrated the BJP’s “changing colours”.

The NSCN (I-M) also took exception to former chief minister and BJP Legislature Party leader Hokishe Sema’s observation that integration of Naga-inhabited areas should not be at the cost of disintegrating other communities and turmoil in the Northeast.

Apart from the alleged change in the BJP’s stand on the subject of Naga integration, the NSCN (I-M) cited alleged instances of anti-Christian activity in parts of the country. It criticised Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s decision to scrap the government holiday on Good Friday.

The militant group said the Anti-conversion Bill moved by the BJP was “an infringement” of religious freedom. “Such anti-Christian measures speak volumes about the minds and strategies of the fundamentalists at the highest level.”

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio, however, defended the BJP, which is a constituent of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland.

“The members of BJP in Nagaland are Christians and whatever is happening in other parts of the country is local in nature,” he said.

Rio’s response to the NSCN (I-M) statement came at a news conference during which he announced the ruling coalition’s manifesto. State BJP president M. Chuba, who was with Rio, said neither the Vishwa Hindu Parishad nor the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had harmed the Naga cause in any way.



Electoral front

Meanwhile, on the electoral front, the opposition Congress has called for derecognition of the Naga People’s Front (NPF). In a communication addressed to the Election Commission, the party has alleged that the rejection of the 16-point Agreement of 1960 under which the state of Nagaland was carved out, by elected legislators is a threat to the sanctity of the Constitution by a political party. The NPF should be derecognised and its legislator and DAN candidate W. Wangyuh debarred from contesting the elections, the party said.

“Denouncing or denigrating the Agreement is tantamount to denigrating the Constitution itself. Those who denounce the 16-point Agreement of 1960 and the creation of Nagaland statehood on that basis must resign immediately from the Nagaland Assembly,” the Congress has stated in a letter signed by working president Hokheto Sumi.

The Nagaland People’s Front is a major constituent of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) coalition. The statements denouncing the 1960 accord were issued by State Rural Development Minister Imkong L. Imchen and Health Minister Thenucho.

However, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has disowned statements by his ministers rejecting the 16-point Agreement. Rio clarified that the statements were issued by the ministers in their personal capacity and did not reflect the government’s views.



BJP reiterates its stand on territorial integrity of states

Meanwhile, the BJP has reiterated its stand on the territorial integrity of north-eastern states.

In its manifesto released in Imphal on April 15, the BJP unit in Manipur said the party would work for territorial integrity of the state if voted to power. The manifesto was released by state unit president and Inner Manipur Lok Sabha candidate Th Chaoba Singh.

Sources in local newspapers said they had been asked by unidentified callers not to publish details of any manifesto of any party. The unidentified callers are suspected to be militants.

Reports from Imphal indicate that militants continue to rule the roost in Manipur.

Armed insurgents barged into the house of Nabachandra Singh, BJP Thanga unit vice-president, at Thanga in Bishenpur district last week and took the leader along with them. The whereabouts of Nabachandra Singh, an active supporter of Chaoba Singh, is still unknown.

Gunmen of the banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) shot at the leg of a BJP councillor in Thoubal district. Sagolshem Ibochoubi Singh was called out of his house at Langathel Mayai Leikai under Kakching police station and shot in the leg. He has been admitted to a local hospital.

The KYKL has owned up the attack and also those on the houses of Congress MLA Radhakishore Singh and BJP leader Sanajaoba Singh in Bishenpur district on April 13.

In a statement, the outfit said their houses were attacked because they were found campaigning for the BJP. It, however, added that it did not mean to hurt family members but only to warn the workers. It also admitted its role in the shooting of two other BJP workers in Bishenpur district earlier last week.

The district magistrate of Imphal East, apprehending trouble, has promulgated prohibitory orders in the entire district. Official sources said Section 144 CrPC was clamped after workers of political parties were attacked in Bishenpur district during the past few days. Prohibitory orders are already in force in Imphal West district.

Security measures throughout the state have been strengthened. Convoys of the Army and Assam Rifles have rolled into Manipur amid a heavy downpour as part of additional security measures for the Lok Sabha elections. The move follows the Manipur government’s SOS to both the Centre and the Election Commission for additional forces in view of the threat from various underground organisations.