Truce pacts with armed groups extended

    18-Apr-2020
Newmai News Network
DIMAPUR, Apr 17 :  Ceasefire terms have been extended for a period of six months between the Government of India and GPRN/NSCN, the Khango group of NSCN (K) and the NSCN (Reformation) on April 16.
Interestingly, the ceasefire term between the Government of India and the Khango group of NSCN-K had expired on April 14, 2020, according to a report.
Informing the media through a joint statement, the Government of India’s Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB) Chairman Lieutenant General Shokin Chauhan, Khango led NSCN-K’s CFSB supervisor Shellen Konyak and its secretary Kaino Chishi said that the ceasefire term between the two parties has been extended for a period of six months. The extension of ceasefire term was signed in Kohima on April 16.
“The ceasefire will be subject to adherence to the Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR) mutually agreed and signed by both sides. The Ceasefire Ground Rules will be subject to mutual review and amendment with the involvement of both the parties,” the joint statement further informed the media.
Also issuing a statement, the Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) of the GPRN/NSCN informed the media that the ceasefire agreement between the organization and the Govern- ment of India has been extended for a period of six months.
The ceasefire term between the GPRN/NSCN and the Government of India will expire on April 27, 2020.
GPRN/NSCN in a statement said, “while constantly deliberating for a lasting peace in the land of the Nagas with the involvement of the Naga people”, normal proceedings between the GPRN/NSCN and the Government of India have been “unfortunately hampered” due to the COVID-19 issue.
Despite this, on April 16, “in the spirit of seriousness to maintain peace in the State and modalities of resolving issues, ceasefire between GPRN/NSCN and Government of India is being mutually extended for a period of six months with effect from April 28 till October 27 with subjection to adherence to Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR),” the press release stated.
Also informing the media about the ceasefire term extension, the NSCN-Reformation (NSCN-R) informed that its ceasefire term with the Government of India has been extended by six months.
“The NSCN (R) cannot ignore the people's cry for peace, and if at all, we don't listen to the people's voice, how can we claim that we are representing them,” the press release stated. Meanwhile, both parties agreed to “adhere to the laid down Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR) in all seriousness and fairness”.