Rebellion surfaces in Naga rebel group NSCN-IM

Nirendra Dev *

In what is seen as a major development an eminent Naga rebel leader Ikato Chishi Swu has decided to “join” dissident leaders based out in Myanmar to "carry forward the Naga struggle”. The NSCN-IM has been the most potent insurgent group in north east India for last five decades and has been engaged in peace talks with the Govt of India since 1997.

Ikato Swu is son of deceased founding leader Isac Chishi Swu, who was chairman of the organisation, till his death in 2016. Isak Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah were the two unquestioned leaders in NSCN-IM for decades and hence the rebellion shown by Isak Swu’s son is not at all a good or small development.

After years, the most potent Naga group has now come under immense pressure to hold the fort/organisation together and to justify before the people - especially in the state of Nagaland - that it is the sole representative of the Naga people to bring them Peace, an agreement with New Delhi called Solution and other benefits.

Look what has come out:
"The virus of corruption has infected all the organs of the NSCN/GPRN government because of mismanagement and corruption of the top leadership."

** "Some of the leaders are involved in alcohol syndicates in nexus with top political leaders of the Nagaland state government and are enjoying huge amounts of money every month. They have deployed Naga army personnel to make sure only adulterated alcohol distributed by the so-called syndicate is sold."

These two statements have come from an 'insider' and a respectable voice in Naga politics. The irreplaceable personality is Ikato Chishi Swu, son of Late Isak Chishi Swu.

He has further said:
"The national security is compromised. Leaders are forced to function according to the whims of their paymasters; many are in no position to even rescue themselves. They are directed to bring all the true revolutionary patriots into their fold through different ways and means".

The allegation of being part of any liquor-sale syndicate in conjunction with state politicians is quite serious. What happens to the prestige of the NDPP-BJP government in the state? The BJP’s regional partner NDPP has already earned a new deification -- Nothing Doing (yet) Poor Performance .

Hence, what will India's largest political party and the party with a difference think, decide and do now ?

What has made the NSCN-IM 'headline hunter' again ? The Clock is ticking, as they put it. The issue at hand is serious. The 91-year-old Muivah is not only an aging leader. He is also not keeping well.

With Isak Chishi gone and now Muivah aging; it is obvious the Dynasty games are on amid debate about Democracy and Decision making. Ikato Swu is one part of the legacy story. Swus hail from Nagaland state while Muivah’s own tribe Tangkhul essentially has strong presence in the state of Manipur.

Now mandarins in Delhi feel they have been provided with 'masala' about the crucial dynastic angle. Who will succeed Thuingaleng Muivah ? Of course, New Delhi does not have any clue so far but for all obvious reasons they need to keep an eye on that angle. So far, it was argued in many quarters that as his ‘deputy’ in the organisation, V S Atem may succeed him easily.

But things may still be premature. There are other players in the race. This may drag us to focus on a man called Pamshin Muivah, a product of St Stephens with 'many friends' in Delhi in various fields including media, bureaucracy and the Neta class.

Moreover, his father was a civil servant and his spouse is a medico. Pamshin in an influential position will make New Delhi mandarins work harder than they are doing today. Naga insurgency is no longer a game of guns and bullets. Lot of brain work goes in.

Pamshin from the Indian government point of view is not a battle hardened leader unlike Muivah or even Atem. Pamshin is more an indoctrinated ideologue and can throw up bigger challenges in future.

A retired military officer endorses such analysis and goes on to say that Pamshin's importance to the Muivah family has grown manifold after another ‘nephew’ Grinder’s death. Pamshin may be the best bet for Muivah’s family.

Anthony Shimray, army chief, and another eminent face in Naga insurgency Phungthing Simrah are also close in the race. Dynasty and Democracy are intricately linked to History. And one may say History seems to be repeating with reports suggesting prominent NSCN-IM leaders and commanders and their associates have slipped into Myanmar and China despite 'surveillance' or the lack of it.

Importantly, Ikato Swu declared his intent to carry forward his father’s unfinished mission, calling upon ‘right-thinking Nagas’ —especially youth—to rise and reclaim the national vision.

So inferences being drawn are --- some leaders in the organisation have lost high moral ground. It has further weakened forces those were trying to harm Naga Solution journey as being pursued from New Delhi under the personal supervision of Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Govt of India must urgently draw up a futuristic standpoint.