The Niki Sumi faction of the NSCN(K) on Wednesday entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India.
The ceasefire agreement was signed in New Delhi by Nikato Pila Sumi, supervisor, Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB), NSCN-K (Niki), Abel Zingru Thuer, member, CFSB, NSCN-K(Niki) and Piyush Goyal, additional secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The ceasefire agreement was signed with the aim to bring long-lasting peace to Nagaland.
“Government of India and National Socialist Council of Nagaland/ (K)Niki, Nagaland, have mutually decided to enter into a ceasefire agreement with effect from September 8, 2021 to bring about a lasting peace in the State of Nagaland with the involvement of Naga people,” the agreement reads.
Also read: Nagaland: Niki Sumi faction of NSCN-K to sign ceasefire agreement with GoI today
The ceasefire between NSCN-K(Niki) and the government will remain in force for one year with effect from September 8, 2021 to September 7, 2022.
“The ceasefire will be applicable for a period of one year with effect from September 8, 2021 to September 7, 2022,” according to the agreement.
The ceasefire will be subject to adherence to the Ceasefire Ground Rules to be mutually agreed and signed by the two sides, the agreement said.
The Ceasefire Ground Rules will be subject to mutual review and amendment with the involvement of both the parties.
“Both the parties accordingly append their signatures, on this date, September 8, 2021, herein under, to give effect to the Ceasefire Agreement,” it added.
The ‘undivided’ NSCN-K had abrogated the ceasefire agreement with the Government of India in 2015 after it attacked an Indian Army convoy of 6 Dogra Regiment in Chandel district of Manipur and killed 18 Army jawans.
Niki Sumi, who was wanted in the 2015 attack on the Indian Army convoy was expelled from a Myanmar-based camp of the NSCN-K, following which he floated a new outfit in December last year.
Niki Sumi last year announced that his group was willing to sign the ceasefire agreement to facilitate the ongoing Naga peace process.
NSCN-K (Niki) is still not a part of any of the negotiating groups in the Naga peace process.