Union Government and Naga rebel groups agree to extend ceasefire till April 2018

The Union Government and two Naga armed factions, namely National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Reformation (NSCN-R) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Neakpao-Kithovi (GPRN/NSCN), have agreed to extend the ceasefire till 27 April 2018.

The decision over extension of ceasefire was taken at a meeting held between the officials of the Union Home Ministry and the Ceasefire Supervisory Board of Naga armed factions on 17 April 2017 in New Delhi.

The Union Government was represented by Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary of Union Ministry of Home Affairs, North East Division. GPRN/NSCN was represented by Jack Zhimomi and Chenyum Konyak.

A ceasefire between the Union Government and NSCN-R and NSCN-NK is already in operation.

Background

• The Naga rebels have been insisting on their sovereignty and demanding creation of a ‘Greater Nagaland’ or Nagalim, which consists all the Naga-inhabited areas of neighbouring Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and some portions Myanmar.  

• Insurgency in Nagaland began in 1947 when the Naga National Council (NNC) demanded independence. However, NNC was sidelined after the formation of the NSCN in 1980.

• The NSCN brought with itself a section of Myanmarese Nagas headed by S S Khaplang into the organisation. However eight years later, the NSCN was divided into the Khaplang and Isak-Muivah factions.

• In 1997, a ceasefire was declared between the Union government and the Isak-Muivah group and a dialogue was initiated for a negotiated settlement.

• Five years down the line, Khaplang followed suit by declaring cessation of hostilities with the Union Government, which led to an agreement.

• In April 2012, a ceasefire agreement was concluded with NSCN(K).