New Delhi, Dec. 20: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) today broke its silence over the Royal Bhutan Army?s operations against militants of the Northeast. Terming the exercise as brutal and cruel, the NSCN (I-M) said the military drive has shocked the people of the region.
?According to reliable sources, almost every arrested person was shot dead, arrested women were raped and even killed mercilessly. Human rights are being grossly violated,? said Thuingaleng Muivah, the outfit?s general secretary, in an email from Oking.
He said it was really sad that a situation has been created at a time when serious efforts were being made to solve the insurgency problem through peaceful means. The Royal Bhutan Army?s operations have cast a long shadow over the peace process in the region, he added.
All the militant groups based in the Himalayan kingdom have received a jolt as several of their top leaders were either captured or killed in the operations.
The NSCN (I-M) leader claimed that the Ulfa and the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) were making efforts to restart a dialogue with the Bhutan government.
However, Thimphu is in no mood to resume any dialogue because many rounds of talks spread over six years failed to yield any result.
Unlike the NSCN (I-M), which responded favourably to the offer of talks by former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, the Ulfa?s terms were conditional and unacceptable to Delhi. However, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has reiterated the offer for talks.
The Ulfa?s ties with the NSCN(I-M) blossomed in the mid-eighties when it needed the Naga outfit?s help to train the cadres. However, their relations soured after the Ulfa became friendly with the NSCN (Khaplang), which culminated in the formation of the Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front.
Muivah?s statement assumes significance given the two outfit?s bitter relationship. The outfit has even supported today?s 48-hour bandh.