Nagaland: NSCN-IM accuses Indian forces of using Kuki rebels for proxy war

KOHIMA: The NSCN-IM has accused the Indian government of engaging in a proxy war against the military wing of the NSCN-IM by utilizing the Kuki National Army-Myanmar (KNA-B) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF).

These accusations come amid ongoing tensions and violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.

The NSCN-IM has claimed of maintaining a neutral stance, refraining from involvement in the ethnic conflict in Manipur to focus on ongoing political negotiations with the Indian government.

However, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) accused the NSCN-IM of exacerbating the Meitei-Kuki conflict by allegedly supporting Meitei revolutionary groups against Kuki militants.

Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM has vehemently denied these accusations, criticizing the Indian security forces, including the Assam Rifles (AR) and Para Regiment, accusing them of colluding with Kuki militant groups.

The NSCN-IM criticized the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for 'falsely' alleging the outfit's involvement in the Meitei-Kuki-Zo conflict.

The NSCN-IM claims that this collaboration has led to a war-like scenario along the India-Myanmar border, with AR and para-regiment units purportedly facilitating the movement and operations of Kuki militants, particularly the KNA-B.

Local villagers have reported seeing Kuki militants being transported by Assam Rifles personnel to and from the border, raising concerns about the security forces’ role in the ongoing conflict, the outfit alleged.

“KNA-B is given unrestrained access to border crossing points to Myanmar and allowed to come out anytime, while others are strictly forbidden. Such is the deceitful role of Indian Security Forces magnifying the problem instead of finding a solution,” the NSCN-IM stated in a statement.

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The outfit further stated: “Villagers have seen truckloads of Kuki militants being dropped at the border by the AR. There is a strong nexus between the Indian security forces, KNA-B and PDF, with all the scheming materials provided by the Indian security forces.”

“They supplied combat materials to KNA-B and Chin PDF. Not only that, they supplied GI pipes for their bomb-making factory at Phaiyang village. The Indian Security Forces gave training to KNA-B on how to make bombs and operate those using drones. The bomb-making factory of KNA-B at Phaiyang is guarded by the Indian security forces round the clock,” it adds.

“It is ironic that the main target of the Indian Security Forces is the Naga Army. To put the matter straight, the Naga Army has never disturbed the Indian Security Forces while conducting their goodwill missions inside Myanmar.”

Additionally, the NSCN-IM criticized drone attacks by Indian security forces on their camps in Myanmar, describing these actions as military brinkmanship and a form of international aggression.

It further asserted that such attacks are ‘unjustifiable’, especially given the ongoing political negotiations between the Indian government and the outfit.

“Indian Security Forces are raining bombs using drones against the Naga Army camps in Myanmar. This has been going on for more than three weeks,” the NSCN-IM stated.

“When the Indo-Naga political talks remain inconclusive, it doesn't give India the right to resort to bombings using drones across the international border. It is militarily and politically unnecessary, inherently immoral, a war crime, and no less a form of state terrorism.”