Nagaland (Insurgency North East): Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2003

Official sources could not confirm if they would visit their native Nagaland State. Read less...

On January 3, Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani confirmed the impending meeting between Union government representatives and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isack-Muivah (NSCN-IM) leadership on January 9, while addressing a meeting in Delhi. Quoting Advani, media reports added that a four-member Naga delegation is expected to arrive in India a day earlier, i.e. on January 8. Reportedly, they would also meet Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Advani. Read less...

According to media reports, unidentified assailants killed a security force personnel and injured another in Phoolbari, Kohima, on January 4. Police have arrested two persons in this connection. Further investigations are on. Read less...

In a further development, a red alert has been sounded in Nagaland ahead of the Naga peace talks scheduled for January 9. Security in the State has been beefed-up following intelligence reports that some terrorists have entered the State to create trouble and to derail the peace talks. Read less...

Some 60 leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isack-Muivah(NSCN-IM) have reportedly left Dimapur, Nagaland, for New Delhi after the two top leaders, Th. Muivah and Isack Swu, had cancelled their visit to Nagaland. As per reports, both the NSCN-IM leaders had limited their trip only to New Delhi due to certain undisclosed reasons. Meanwhile, reports added that no invitation has been sent to the Naga Hoho, the apex tribal body of the Nagas, or other Nagaland-based NGOs by the NSCN-IM to visit New Delhi. Read less...

The Naga Hoho, the apex body of all Naga tribes, indicated optimism about the proposed talks between he Union government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isack-Muivah (NSCN-IM), scheduled to be held in New Delhi between January 9 and 10. Naga Hoho chief M Vero reportedly said the NSCN (IM) should know what people want and added, ‘If they are really working for the people, they should sort out the problem’. Read less...

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) has been providing training and shelter to various terrorist outfits of Northeast at its bases in Myanmar, despite a cease-fire with the Union government, media reports said on January 7. Thousands of cadres of the proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), All Tripura Tigers Force (ATTF), People’s Liberation Army (PLA), United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Kanglei Yawol Kunna Lup (KYKL) and People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) are presently training at NSCN-K camps. NSCN-K leader and self-styled revenue minister (Kilonser) of the government of oeople’s republic of Nagaland (GPRN) Zeeuolie Angami reportedly said providing training and shelter did not violate cease-fire ground rulesand added they were applicable only within Indian territory. He also reportedly said, ‘If the Union government takes the NSCN-K into confidence and involves it in the ongoing peace process, then the outfit might help in bringing other terrorist outfits of Northeast to the negotiation table’. He also reiterated that ‘nothing would come out of the negotiations involving only the NSCN-Isack-Muivah (NSCN-IM) that will suffice in finding a lasting solution to the Naga problem’. Read less...

According to media reports, National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) deputy kilonser (minister) Khughalu Mulatonu indicated that chairman S.S. Khaplang could return to India later in the year for "political negotiations" with the Union government. Quoting him, reports added, on January 10, the outfit had lined up "something very positive" for Nagaland. He said Khaplang ‘was keen to come to India and lay the stepping stone for a political process’. Khaplang is based in Myanmar. Although the Union government and the Khaplang faction announced a cease-fire on April 29, 2000, both are yet to commence talks. Read less...

Thuingaleng Muivah and Isack Chisi Swu, the two top-leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isack-Muivah(NSCN-IM) arrived in New Delhi from Amsterdam on January 8 to hold talks with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his deputy L K Advani on January 9 and 10, respectively. According to media reports, both the leaders are also expected to meet Leader of the Opposition and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister George Fernandes, former Lok Sabha speaker P A Sangma and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, among others. Reports also added that the NSCN-IM’s delegation would be consisting of 36 members, including some personal security officers of the both the leaders. Muivah and Isack Swu will leave India on January 16, reports further added. Read less...

Top National Socialist Council of Nagaland Isack-Muivah (NSCN-IM) leaders Th.Muivah and Isack Swu met with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpeyee at his official residence on January 9, in New Delhi. The outfit’s spokesman reportedly said, prior to the high profile meeting, that the outfit has not given up its demand for self-determination and that its decision to hold unconditional talks was in an "accommodative spirit". He said it did not mean the NSCN-IM has agreed for talks within the framework of the Indian Constitution. However, Muivah Swu reiterated their sincerity in ‘solving the problem realistically’. After a 40 minute meeting the Prime Minister, Swu said the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere and India and Nagas have ‘come closer to understanding’. He further added that the Prime Minister has been trying to solve the problem according to Naga history. Expressing optimism over the maturity level of the political leadership, Muivah said the Prime Minister was ‘quite understanding and added that the Union government knows and very well understands the reality of the Nagas. However, Swu, replying to a question said ‘there is no greater or smaller Nagaland’. The NSCN (I-M) leaders are scheduled to meet with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today, January 10. Read less...

According to an unnamed NSCN-IM source, the outfit’s leadership has directed both the military and civil wings to be on full alert in case of a break down of the ongoing peace talks in New Delhi. However, while speaking to the media, the Naga leaders reaffirmed their January 9-statement of ‘unconditional talks' to find a peaceful solution to the Naga problem. Read less...

On January 10, the two top National Socilist Council of Nagaland-Isack-Muivah(NSCN-IM) leaders—Th. Muivah and Isack Swu met with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and reiterate that their goal of a single administrative unit comprising all Naga-dominated areas remained intact. According to media reports, after a 50-minute long meeting, general secretary Th. Muivah said Nagaland was the place of their natural habitation and they (the Nagas) were asking nothing more or nothing less. Both the leaders reportedly said the outfit neither would participate nor interfere in the forthcoming Legislative Assembly elections in Nagaland. Read less...

On January 11, National Socialist Council of Nagaland––Issac-Muivah (NSCN-IM) leaders—Isack Swu and Th Muivah, reportedly said, in New Delhi, that there would be no more fighting between the Nagas and Indian security forces, any more. After an hour-long discussion with Defence Minister George Fernandes, Swu told the media outside the Defence Minister’s office that this is the understanding they have reached with the Union government, thus far. He also added that the people of Nagaland have been praying that the leaderships of India and the NSCN-IM successfully conclude their parleys. The current round of the ongoing peace talks between the Union government and the NSCN-IM is being held on Indian soil for the first time. The current round entered the third day on January 11. Read less...

According to media reports of January 14, leader National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) faction chief SS Khaplang might come to India by November 2003 for a political dialogue with the Union government. Unnamed sources in outfit reportedly informed the media that Khaplang, based in Myanmar, had indicated his willingness to visit India for negotiations. They also said many top-ranking leaders of the outfit would accompany Khaplang for the talks. Read less...

Media reports of January 15 claimed talks on ‘substantive issues’ between Union government chief interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isack-Muivah (NSCN-IM) leaders—Isak Swu and Th. Muivah––would start on January 19. Both the leaders are expected to leave India on January 23. Substantive issues which would be addressed are: demand for a homeland under a single administrative unit, separate flag, right to open trade and investment, common defence mechanism, missions abroad, control over natural resources and tax laws. Read less...

Other reports said both the Naga leaders met with Finance Minister Jaswant Singh in New Delhi, on January 14. After the courtesy meeting, Singh reportedly told the media that the meeting had been cordial and that he was honoured to be a part of the peace process. He also added that, since there is no alternative to peace, the Union government––NSCN-IM parleys would certainly pave the way for the resolution of the Naga conflict. Reports further added that the two Naga leaders might come to India again in March, after conclusion of the Legislative Assembly elections in Nagaland, due on February 26. Read less...

Visiting National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) leaders Isak Swu and Th Muivah had met with leaders of Opposition parties in Parliament on January 16, at the residence of former Prime Minister VP Singh in New Delhi. According to media reports, the meeting was not attended by the Congress-I. Quoting VP Singh, reports said, when Congress president and Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi was invited for the meeting, she reportedy said the timing was not appropriate to attend the meeting. Other prominent leaders who attended the meeting included former Premier I K Gujural, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury, Lok Janshakti leader Ram Vilas Paswan and Communist Party of India (CPI) leader A B Bardhan, as well as Consumer Affairs Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav . Read less...

According to media reports, a security force personnel was injured during an ambush laid by unidentified gunmen at Longtio near Tizit of the Mon district in Nagaland on January 17. Read less...

According to media reports, the Union government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) will hold official-level talks in New Delhi, on January 20, today. Both the visiting Naga leaders—Isak Swu and Th. Muivah––are likely to meet Union government chief interlocutor in Naga peace talks K Padmanabhaiah, Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief K P Singh and Secretary (Border Management) in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) R C Jain. Reports said both the sides are expected to discuss several issues, such as the NSCN-IM's demand for the creation of a greater homeland for Naga tribes, demand for greater political and financial autonomy, a separate flag for the State and setting up cultural and liaison offices abroad. Read less...

Visiting National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) leaders—Isak Swu and Th. Muivah––called on Leader of the Opposition and All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi on January 20, in New Delhi. The meeting lasted for about half an hour. Both the Naga leaders declined to speak to the media about the contents of the discussion. They also called on former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in Delhi. The meeting is reportedly considered significant, for Rao was the first Prime Minister to have started a dialogue with the outfit’s leaders in recent times. Read less...

According to media reports, the 13th Assam Rifles (AR) has accused National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) cadres of violating cease-fire ground rules. Quoting 13th AR Commandant Colonel H V Sharma, reports on January 21 added that cadres of the outfit were not maintaining the Naga leadership’s commitment not to fight the security forces. While expressing dissatisfaction over the situation, he reportedly referred to the unprovoked firing by NSCN-IM cadres on an AR patrol in Lokho village, Mon district, on January 17. Meanwhile, residents of Lokho village condemned the incident in which an AR personnel was injured. Read less...

The official-level talks between the Union government and the NSCN-IM have been deferred by a day and are now scheduled to be held on January 21 and 22, in New Delhi. According to official sources, the two sides are likely to issue a joint statement at the end of the talks. Read less...

A media report of January 22 said at least 10 Northeast-based terrorist outfits have given a Republic Day (January 26) 'boycott call'. A joint statement by these outfits said, "… It is, therefore, in the interest of the entire people of the region that the Republic Day be boycotted as a symbolic rejection of India’s Constitution." The outfits also 'appealed' to the people to observe a general strike on that day in five States–– Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Meghalaya of the Northeast. However, Nagaland and Mizoram were reportedly not mentioned in this list. The outfits that gave the 'call' included the Assam-based United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Tripura-based National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) of Manipur. Tags Read less...

Reports added, although there were indications of uneasiness in the Naga leadership over Prime Minister Vajpayee’s assurance to Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh on protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur, which adversely affects the NSCN-IM-demand of Greater Nagaland, the NSCN-IM leaders did not stall the ongoing dialogue. Read less...

The ongoing peace talks between the Union government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah(NSCN-IM) have been extended by a day and are scheduled to conclude today, January 23. According to official sources, two more sessions of peace talks would be held. In the previous sessions both the parties have explained their respective stand and expressed satisfaction over the developments so far. Read less...

Reports said the next round of talks is likely to be held after elections to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly are concluded on February 26. Read less...

The Naga peace talks between the Union government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) concluded on January 23, in New Delhi. After three rounds of official level talks, a joint communiqué has been released. According to media reports, both sides reaffirmed the need to maintain a ‘peaceful and violence-free environment’ and agreed to continue the parleys to find a lasting solution to the Naga problem. Quoting government sources, reports added that substantive issues were raised during talks and negotiations proceeded in the right direction. However, NSCN-IM chairman Swu maintained that all substantive issues had not been touched upon but some of them were discussed. Read less...

According to a media report of January 25, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland -Khaplang (NSCN-K) has accused its rival Isak Muivah faction (NSCN-IM) of issuing death threats to the non-Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) candidates participating in the forthcoming Assembly elections of February 26. NSCN-K further alleged that the threat specifically targets candidates from the ruling Congress party. The NSCN-K ‘home secretary’ Hokato Vushe reportedly said, "At least seven Congress candidates around Dimapur had been telephoned by a deputy kilonser (minister) of the NSCN-IM on January 22 and 23, who warned them of dire consequences if they did not quit the Congress and join the NPF. They were warned that their hands and legs would be smashed if they contest for the Congress — meaning death." The NSCN-K leader also accused the NSCN-IM of engendering defection in the ruling Congress party. The NPF is an offshoot of Nagaland’s oldest Opposition party — the United Democratic Front. Read less...

According to media reports, the apex Naga tribal body, Naga Hoho, criticized Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for giving an assurance to Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh on the territorial integrity of Manipur during the Union government, National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) talks in New Delhi. Naga Hoho leader M Vero reportedly said, on January 25, this was not expected from the Prime Minister. While expressing displeasure at the Union government not inviting a non-governmental body such as the Hoho for the talks to solve the long-standing Naga problem, he termed the now concluded peace talks as ‘so so’. Read less...

The NSCN has denied that it issued any such warning to the non-NPF candidates. The NSCN-IM-deputy kilonser V. Horam said, "Probably the people have decided to install a government supportive to the ongoing peace process. Everyone knows that the present state government has not been supporting the peace process. When people have decided, then why should we bother threatening the people and candidates. This is baseless. We have decided to stay away from the polls this time." Read less...

Nagaland Police have reportedly recovered the body of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) leader Tevodeho Tetso on January 28, on the Agri-Link road, near Rusoma village, Kohima. According to reports, Tetso was earlier abducted by unidentified gunmen from the High School Junction, Kohima, on January 27. No one has claimed responsibility for the killing so far. Read less...