MHA data links NSCN-IM to 44% of insurgency-related occurrences in 2020

According to the annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) was involved in 44 percent of insurgency-related occurrences in Nagaland in 2020.

The Union government and the NSCN-IM, one of the main Naga organizations, inked a framework agreement in 2015 to find a solution to the Naga political crisis. The negotiations are still ongoing.

Previously, in 1997, the Indian government negotiated a formal ceasefire deal with the NSCN-IM, which was renewed indefinitely in 2007.

Divided into several groups

Following the breakdown of the 1975 Shillong Accord, the umbrella NSCN group formed in 1980 and has since fragmented into numerous factions. These insurgent factions are the NSCN (IM) led by Thuingaleng Muivah, the NSCN (K), NSCN/NK led by Neopao Konyak-Kitovi, and the NSCN/R led by Y. Wangtin Konyak, according to the MHA’s annual report for 2019-20. “Despite the government’s efforts to contain insurgency from time to time, NSCN factions continue to engage in factional violence and other violent/illegal acts that disrupt normal life in the State,” the 2019-20 report stated.

“Currently, several factions of the NSCN, viz. NSCN(NK), NSCN(R), and NSCN(K-Khango), are under ceasefire with the Government of India,” according to the 2020-21 annual report. Only one NSCN/K–Yung Aung faction, mostly headquartered in Myanmar, remains active at the moment,” it claimed.

According to the data, the number of violent occurrences in Nagaland decreased by 45 percent in 2020 compared to 2019 (2019 – 42, 2020 – 23), and there were no civilian or security forces deaths in the state.

MHA: Operations against insurgents

“In 2020, counter-insurgency operations in the State resulted in the neutralization of two insurgents, the arrest of 222 insurgents, and the recovery of 84 firearms.” During the year 2020, the NSCN/IM was responsible for around 44% of all insurgency occurrences in the state. The number of kidnapping/abduction incidents fell by 33% in 2020 compared to 2019 (2019 – 49, 2020 – 33),” according to the study.

It went on to say that Naga insurgent organizations were involved in violent attacks in Arunachal Pradesh. The NSCN-IM was involved in 11 events, the NSCN/K-YK in five, and the NSCN/U and ENNG in two and one, respectively, according to the report. In the year 2020, there were 21 kidnapping cases reported in Arunachal Pradesh. 

“While Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura have remained largely quiet, the security situation in other states in the region has significantly improved.” According to the MHA study, “insurgency-related violence decreased by 42 percent in Arunachal Pradesh, 12 percent in Assam, 23 percent in Manipur, and 45 percent in Nagaland in 2020 compared to 2019.” 

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