NSCN-IM slams Manipur CM over blast allegations

Naga rebel group Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah has accused Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh of trying to derail the ongoing peace talks by making 'destructive remarks' against the organisation.

According to the Naga rebel group, which had declared a state of truce with the government of India, the Manipur chief minister has shown his "antagonism" towards the peace talks being held under the banner of National Socialist Council of Nagalim on several occasions.

Accusing Ibobi of trying to derail the peace process by branding the NSCN-IM as a "terrorist organisation", the outfit's information and publicity wing stated that such allegations were "most unbecoming and demeaning".

It claimed that Ibobi didn't hesitate to blame the NSCN-IM for any "terror-like incident" to demand the revocation of the ceasefire. Citing the recent bomb blast in Imphal, the NSCN-IM alleged that Ibobi Singh had "hurriedly" blamed the NSCN-IM and even claimed he would brief the Centre on the activities of the outfit in the state in order to press the central government to revoke the ceasefire.

But, according to the NSCN-IM, Ibobi was forced to admit in the Manipur assembly that the person arrested in connection with the bomb blast was not a NSCN-IM cadre but a jawan of the Indian Reserve Battalion.

The outfit claimed that this instance only proved the "ulterior motive" of Ibobi against NSCN-IM.

The Naga organisation further maintained that the Centre had recognised the uniqueness of Naga history and given a commitment that the solution would also be unique.

It stated that Ibobi's "extra interest" on issues such as the ongoing stand-off in Manipur over the demand for creation of the districts of Sadar Hills and Jiribam indicated his "plot against the territorial interest of the Nagas". The NSCN vowed that it won't allow Ibobi to have his way, no matter what.

Incidentally, the NSCN-IM considers all Naga inhabited area of Manipur hills as part of its 'greater Nagalim', much to the consternation of non-Naga communities in Manipur. The Ibobi Singh government has been steadfast in its stand against the creation of a 'greater Nagalim' as demanded by the NSCN-IM.

The NSCN-IM has been miffed with the Ibobi Singh government as it did not allow its leader Th Muivah to visit his ancestral village at Somdal in Ukhrul district of Manipur two years ago.