NSCN-K going great guns with recruitment

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: One of the factions of the NSCN active in the districts of Tirap and Changlang in Arunachal Pradesh is reportedly on a recruitment drive. Latest reports have confirmed that at least 9 youths from Nyinu village in Wakka circle of Tirap were recruited by the NSCN (K). Sources said these recruits are already undergoing training under the guidance of Kachin Independent Army (KIA) in Myanmar.

A few days back, when the alleged recruitment of 18 youths by the outfit in the district came to light, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) had expressed shock and concern and urged the Government to act immediately. The apex students’ union had termed the act as unlawful and disturbing as the youths involved were between the age group of 18 and 25 years. As per latest reports, one of the factions of NSCN is going ahead with its recruitment drive in spite of opposition from various quarters.

The sources further said that as many as 28 more youths have been identified for recruitment and training. Reportedly, these youths would join one of the factions of NSCN in next 7 to 10 days, predominantly from villages like Nyinu, Dadam and Lazu of Wakka area in Tirap. Most of these identified recruits are said to be below 20 years of age, and include at least 6 teenage girls.

Analyst in the know of ultras’ activities acknowledge that the active recruitment drive of NSCN (K) is all about upstaging its rival NSCN (IM), taking advantage of the situation after all Naga insurgent factions became signatories to ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’, which was facilitated by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) on September 23, 2009 at Chiang Mai, Thailand. During the Chiang Mai meeting, the top leaders of the two NSCN factions and FGN, while pledging to work together, resolved to cease all forms of offensive activities in full, which also means the truce between the two NSCN factions active in Tirap and Changlang.

Other observers suggested that there could be a couple of reasons for such aggressive drive of NSCN (K). It could be symbolic to assert their presence which had almost become nil during last parliamentary and Assembly elections. Purely from sense of timing, second possible cause could be to strengthen its negotiation power in case the Khandu-led government decided to hold talks with them, as was announced by new Home Minister Tako Dabi.

With such aggressive plan of the NSCN becoming an open secret, it is to be seen how State security personnel or Central paramilitary forces present in Tirap and Changlang respond and react to protect the youths from crossing over to the other side of life, not just other side of boundary. THE SENTINEL