Around 50 Naga insurgents likely to join national mainstream: Military sources

NEW DELHI

Around 50 insurgents belonging to a breakaway faction of the Naga militant outfit NSCN-K are likely to join the national mainstream as the group is finding it difficult to survive following enhanced cooperation between the Indian Army and the Myanmarese armed forces along the border, sources in the security establishment said on December 26.

The faction led by Niki Sumi has decided to surrender because of combined efforts against it by the Army, state security forces and military intelligence in the last few months, they said, adding it will be a boost for the Naga peace process.

The overall coordination and cooperation between the Indian and Myanmarese armies on the management of the Indo-Myanmar border has improved following a recent visit to the neighbouring country by Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane, they said.

“The diplomatic efforts in the military domain by the Chief of Army Staff during his recent visit to Myanmar have paid rich dividends,” said an official on the condition of anonymity.

Myanmar is one of India’s strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-kilometre-long border with a number of northeastern states, including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.

Sources indicate that Starson Lamkang, a key leader of the breakaway faction, along with 52 cadres, are currently in the process of surrendering to the security forces in Phek district of Nagaland.

They said eight more cadres of the group are also likely to surrender, taking the total to around 60.

India has been concerned over some militant groups from the Northeast region taking shelter in Myanmar.

Myanmar has been assuring India that it would not allow any insurgent group to use its territory against India. (PTI)

(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)