Rifts within the ranks of NSCN-IM appear to have reached a point of no return, multiple factions most likely

In what appears to be a significant development for the largest insurgent organisation in Northeast India, the NSCN-IM seems to be under serious crisis within the ranks and files.

Just a week ago, as reported in "Thingkho le Malcha" on April 2, 2024, 14 military officers including the self-styled Deputy Longvibu, Lieut. Gen. Absolom Raman, MC, Naga Army, revolted against the Longvibu (Commander in Chief of Naga Army) Lieut. Gen. Retd. Mr. HS. Ramsan, one of the most trusted lieutenants of Mr. Thuingaleng Muivah who is at the fag end of his life.

It was on March 30, 2024, that these 14 Military Commanders, mainly from the Eastern Flank of the Naga Army of the NSCN-IM, wrote an open letter to the Yaruiwo (President), NSCN/GPRN, declaring that they will no longer be answerable to the command of the Longvibu claiming the act as a way out "to save the nation from another crisis". The 14 officers levelled various allegations against the Longvibu and even questioned whether he was an agent of the Government of India.

They also claimed that the Longvibu had “unjustifiably shut down” the office of the Dy. Longvibu of the Eastern Flank and froze all its financial sanctions from the GHQ without any concern for the cadres there.

However, the allegations levelled against the Longvibu were refuted by many other officers of the organisation. In a letter addressed to the Yaruiwo of NSCN-IM dated April 2, 2024, the signatories prayed for an instant disciplinary action against the 14 military officers including the Dy. Longvibu for an alleged "act of mutiny".

The letter, signed by the Adjutant General (AG), General Headquarters, Naga Army, ‘Lieut. Gen.’ L. Wungyip and six other officers including three OSDs to the Longbivu, claimed that the open letter was “not acceptable in the existing law of the nation”.

The officers reminded the Yaruiwo of a similar act of mutiny reported on October 3, 2023. In that case, before any concrete action was taken against the mutineers, another ‘open letter’ has unfortunately emerged.

It also reported that, in another incident, the Dy. Longvibu had staged a military coup on December 7, 2023, where the Southern Command and Central National Security Command of the Naga Army were completely disarmed and held captive.

The letter also alleged that a similar incident of attempted military Coup occurred at Hoyat village in Eastern Nagalim on February 26, 2024, as the Dy. Longvibu Lieut. Gen. Absolom Raman, MC, along with 35 cadres in full arms tried to raid the Vida Mountain Division Peace Mission Command of the Naga Army.

They also claimed that many of the signatures of the March 30 letter are “forgeries" and not consistent with their previous signatures.

It may be remembered that an officer along with 100+ cadres have reportedly defected to the NNC earlier this year. However, this could not be confirmed as yet.

Mentioned may also be made that the NSCN-IM supremo Mr. Th. Muivah is already an ageing 90 years old man who could hardly walk without the help of an assistant. Therefore, an internal crisis within the military ranks at this juncture is regrettable for the survival of armed rebel groups in the Northeast and even beyond as the Naga insurgency is considered to be the mother of all insurgency in the region.

Perhaps many observers of the political development in the region predicted that the death of Mr. Th. Muivah could open a Pandora's Box in the manner in which insurgent organisations operate. However, looking at the series of events that unfolds within the Naga armed groups in the last one decade or so, the shift could even be witnessed during his lifetime.

(Courtesy: KSO Bulletin, Thingkho le Malcha, Issue No. 200, 5th April 2024)