Army's warning to NSCN factions

GUWAHATI, August 22: The Army today warned that it would not remain a mute spectator if the rival National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) factions in Nagaland try to engage themselves in inter-group violence taking advantage of the ceasefire between the government of India and the NSCN(Isak-Muivah). The Army's reaction came in the wake of the killing of the general secretary of the Khaplang faction of the NSCN, Dally Mungro, which is now posing a serious threat to the ongoing moves for peace and unity among different rebel groups. In a statement, the Army said, "No government can remain a silent spectator to the breakdown of public order. A gradually worsening law-and-order situation will force the security force to intervene. The forces of the government cannot and will not abdicate their responsibility of trying to prevent violence in the society. The intervention eventually may put paid to the ceasefire and with it the hoped of finding a peaceful solution to the political problem of Nagaland." The Army said the rival factions must refrain from using the ceasefire to serve their own petty and vengeful interests. They must desist from trying to expand their area of influence through intimidation and show military strength. The NSCN factions were warned against interfering with each others affairs, taking law and order into their hands. The statement said since August 1997, altogether 140 armed clashed have been reported between the two factions, 314 Nagas have been killed by fellow Nagas, 237 persons have been abducted and 450 cadres reported to have defected from one group to another. The Army anticipates a spurt in fratricidal killings in Nagaland. There may be inter-tribal groups tension as the NSCN(K) leaders killing has angered a large section of Ao community to which he belonged.