The Chumoukedima District Village Councils’ Association (CDVCA) has submitted a representation to the Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG), calling for urgent review and amendment of the Ceasefire Ground Rules.
In the representation, the CDVCA stated that “considering the need to take up issues of mutual concern in the larger interests of the member villages in particular and the society at large, the Chumoukedima District Village Councils’ Association (CDVCA), consisting of all the village Councils in the District, had been revived recently. And we take this opportunity to bring to your attention a few issues relating the Ceasefire Ground Rules which we feel need to be urgently looked into.”
One of the key concerns raised was the misuse of designated camps. According to the Association, “the designated camps of the underground factions which have entered into Ceasefire Agreements with the Government of India have been frequently misused… because these have been converted into safe havens for those who have perpetrated criminal activities, and the law-enforcing agencies are ostensibly barred from entering these premises.”
It alleged that these so-called Ceasefire Supervisory Offices “often located in the heart of populated areas, have often been used for illegal detention of civilians abducted for ransom or extortion.”
The CDVCA demanded that the Ground Rules be amended so that “upon receipt of verified information that these places are harbouring criminals, or are being used as illegal detention centres, the CFMB/ CFMG must authorize/ enable the Police to raid or conduct searches in these premises,” while further insisting that “Ceasefire Supervisory offices of the factions be removed from civilian/populated areas” and that “a full-proof mechanism be worked out so that the designated offices are not misused in any manner.”
On the public display of arms, the Association said that “functionaries of the factions move around in public places openly displaying arms accompanied by bodyguards armed with sophisticated weapons. This creates fear psychosis in the minds of the general public and also sort of legalizes the unsavory activities of the functionaries.” It added that “card holders and their PSOs/ bodyguards must conceal their weapons.”
The CDVCA also raised concern over the random issuance of cards. “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 stated.
On the issue of laundering of criminal cases, the Association alleged that “a large number of cadres of various factions in Ceasefire with the Government of India are wanted in many criminal cases by Central agencies such as the ED, NIA etc and the State Police. In some cases, non-bailable warrants also exist. It would appear that once wanted cadres enter into Ceasefire agreements, or join any of the factions in Ceasefire Agreements with the Government of India, their crimes are laundered!”
The representation further questioned the rationale of providing state security to faction leaders. It stated that “providing security cover to the leaders of the various factions does not make sense since it not only depletes the Police resources but also demoralizes the Police personnel. Moreover, since most of these functionaries are card holders they have their own security arrangements.”
Lastly, the Association demanded a ban on recruitment and procurement of arms. “All factions which are in Ceasefire Agreement with the Government of India must cease recruitment of cadres since most of the cadres join the factions to extort or indulge in illegal activities. Moreover, these factions must desist from procuring arms and ammunitions since they are professedly working to bring a final solution to the Naga political problem,” the CDVCA said. It added that “fresh recruitment and procurement of arms and ammunitions gives the impression that they are preparing to fight another day.”