Ikato has decided to join Naga rebel leaders based out in Myanmar to “carry forward the Naga struggle.”
In a major development in the decades-old Naga conflict, NSCN-IM, is poised for a new split from Ikato Swu who has decided to join Naga rebel leaders based out in Myanmar to “carry forward the Naga struggle.”
Ikato is a senior leader and son of its founder Isak Chishi Swu who was part of the biggest Naga insurgent group which has been maintaining ceasefire since 1997.
In a strongly worded statement, Ikato blamed the present leadership of NSCN-IM for failing the Naga cause as the reason for his departure from the group. He also announced his decision to join Absalom Raman and HS Ramsan, two Naga rebel leaders based out in Myanmar, who remained out of the peace process in India.
Ikato also stated that the Centre ‘betrayed’ the Nagas by not implementing the Framework Agreement, which was signed in 2015 just before the demise of his father Isak Chishi Swu. The NSCN-IM was founded by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah. Swu died in 2016 while Muivah is now the group’s general secretary, whom they call “Ato Kilonser” (Prime Minister.)
Setback to peace process?
Ikato’s departure is seen as a setback to the ongoing peace process between the Centre and NSCN-IM, which began following a ceasefire in 1997.
The Framework Agreement signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2015 was to be the basis for signing a final agreement to end the 76-year-old Naga conflict.
But the government said the final agreement has not yet been possible mainly due to NSCN-IM’s insistence on recognition of Naga flag and the Constitution.
