Guwahati: A Myanmar-based dissident leader of the extremist National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) has joined the chorus against the Centre’s decision to revoke the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border when the Naga peace talks are still on.
In a signed press statement issued Monday, ‘Lt Gen’ H.S. Ramsan announced that no Naga should cooperate with the Centre’s fencing initiative, while the peace talks continue.
The NSCN-IM had signed a framework agreement with the Centre in August 2015, but a permanent solution to the Indo-Naga political issue has remained elusive with the IM faction sticking to the demand for a separate Naga national flag and Constitution in recognition of the “Naga history spanning over 70 years”.
Contractors were urged not to bid for related projects, and wage earners were asked to avoid working on the construction. “Anyone found disregarding these directives will face the consequences independently,” Ramsan added.
Several Northeast insurgent groups like the NSCN-IM vehemently oppose the scrapping of the FMR even as a civil war ravages the neighbouring country. Most of these groups are allegedly collaborating with the Myanmar military, with some pursuing their own ceasefire agreements with the authorities, leading to factionalism and differences in leadership.
A security analyst told ThePrint that closing of borders affected these insurgent groups in terms of “transit of arms and cadres to safe sanctuaries in Myanmar”. Ramsan, who has close ties with China, is known for his “hardliner approach”, this analyst said, adding that he was trying to stay relevant through rhetoric when talks were already underway.
Ramsan’s statement is in line with the position of various Naga groups opposing the FMR suspension, including the NSCN-IM, which is leading talks with the Centre for the past 27 years, and that of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), a coalition of seven Naga insurgent outfits also involved in separate negotiations.
The analyst further stated that Ramsan might have “personal interests” arising out of differences with NSCN-IM commander-in-chief ‘Lt Gen’ Anthony Ningkhan Shimray.
In July, the NSCN-IM terminated Ramsan, the vice-chairman and an executive member of its steering committee, and Absalom Raman, the Deputy Longvibu (Deputy Commander) of the Naga Army from their positions, and suspended them from all responsibilities for their involvement in “anti-national activities and waging war against the Naga nation”.
“Whereas the Agreement (FMR) has honoured the history of Naga brotherhood and acknowledged the arbitrary nature of the border pillars laid, scrapping of the FMR at the drop of a hat and initiating border fencing construction along the Indo-Myanmar border is a devious design to divide the Naga brothers forever. It is therefore simply unacceptable,” Ramsan alleged.
The NSCN-IM leader hailing from Manipur’s Ukhrul district stated that when the Indo-Burma treaty of 1952 on Border Affairs was signed, the Nagas were “neither consulted, nor did they give their consent”.
India and Myanmar share a boundary of 1,643 km that passes through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. In February, the Centre announced its decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime that allowed people living along the international border to travel 16 km into each other’s territories without a visa.
The same month, the Working Committee of the NNPGs wrote to the Union Home Minister, urging the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to reconsider its decision on border fencing until a ‘political solution’ is reached.
It urged the Centre to refrain from such a move at a time when “Ceasefire Agreements and Political Negotiations were in process” between the Union Government and the Nagas straddling both sides of the India-Myanmar border. The letter also stated that the border fencing should be done “after demarcation, by appropriately laying down the socio-political situations and the traditional village boundaries”.
Speaking to ThePrint, a senior NSCN-IM leader asserted that every Naga, including Ramsan and Absolam, stands firm against the suspension of the FMR. “The stand taken by Ramsan and Absolam is absolutely in the interest of Naga political principle.”
He said that the termination of the duo for engaging in anti-party activities “would not pose a threat” to the group, and expressed confidence that they would “reunite in due course”.
Also Read: ‘Uneasy Peace’ between NSCN-K factions in Myanmar, Indian Naga leaders dismiss concerns
‘Most-wanted’ duo
Also known as Hangshi Ramson, Ramsan features in the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s list of India’s most wanted fugitives. He is currently said to be “absconding” in the agency records.
In April, Ramsan along with 14 top ‘officers’ of the NSCN’s military wing reportedly revolted against the authority of the ‘Longvibu’ or the commander-in-chief, ‘Lt. Gen’ Anthony Ningkhan Shimray. Sources in the security establishment said Ramsan had been pressuring the NSCN-IM leadership to complete the political talks without any compromise on the rights of the Nagas.
According to media reports in July, Ramsan and Raman exercised significant presence in the areas of Myanmar bordering Manipur. They were reportedly operating in Tamu, Homalin, Leshie townships of Sagaing Region, and have allegedly cooperated with the military council.
On 10 July, Ramsan had released a letter alleging that Indian forces were exploiting the ongoing conflict in Myanmar by waging a proxy war against the Nagas, using the Kuki National Army (KNA-B) and other ethnic armed organisations in the neighbouring country.
He also alleged that the Union government in its final bid to settle the Indo-Naga political issue within the Constitution of India had offered him Rs 100 crore in May 2022, along with an assurance that all cases against him and the Deputy Longvibu of Naga Army would be dismissed if they returned home.
Wanted tag ‘missing’
Meanwhile, Absolam Raman alias Baba was also on the NIA’s scanner for his alleged involvement in the killing of Arunachal Pradesh legislator Tirong Aboh and 10 others in May 2019. The NIA had announced a cash reward of Rs 7-10 lakh for any information leading to his arrest.
However, Raman’s credentials no longer feature in the NIA’s official website alongside Ramsan.
ThePrint contacted the NIA over phone for confirming the status of cases against the ‘most-wanted’ duo. This report will be updated as and when a response is received.
The senior NSCN-IM leader ThePrint spoke earlier claimed that NIA cases against NSCN members continue to proceed as per the Union Government’s interests and priorities.
In 2021, despite the NIA investigation, NSCN-Khaplang (NSCN-K) leader Niki Sumi moved back to India, which is said to have been a sign of probable ‘safe passage’ from Myanmar to India.
The NIA had filed a case against Sumi as the prime accused in the 2015 ambush on an Army convoy in Manipur’s Chandel district, in which 18 soldiers were killed. Sumi, who was then the commander of the armed wing of the outfit, carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his arrest.
The Centre entered into a ceasefire agreement with the NSCN (K) Niki faction comprising more than 200 cadres in September 2021. While the status of the cases against Sumi remains uncertain, the ceasefire agreement with the faction has been extended by one year.
(Edited by Tony Rai)