NSCN(K) seethes as Centre looks to peace deal with rival Muivah faction

NEW DELHI: At a time when it has gone for an all-out offensive against NSCN(K), or Khaplang-led faction, of the Naga militant outfit, the Narendra Modi government is on the verge of a breakthrough in its talks with rival NSCN (Isak-Muivah) faction, according to highly placed sources.
“A major breakthrough in the talks with NSCN(I-M) is expected to come up very soon,” said a source.
The contrasting approach towards the two Naga insurgent groups, which started out as comrades, is significant as it reflects what could have been the trigger for the attack on the June 4 attack on an Army convoy at Chandel in Manipur in which 18 soldiers were killed.
Khaplang is said to be seething with resentment over the government’s overtures to Muivah faction and had unilaterally called off the ceasefire in mid-March from its end. According to intelligence inputs the Khaplang faction has around 400 rebels in its fold.
The NSCN-K has decided to make its presence felt by playing host to absconding Ulfa leader Paresh Barua, who according to intelligence sources, is being sheltered in its camps. Apart from the rivalry factor playing a role in Barua getting a shelter in NSCN(K) camps, a third factor is being seen as working behind bringing the two divergent insurgent groups together.
Intelligence sources point finger at China. Viewed from that angle, the Myanmar operation is also being seen as a message to China, say government sources.
However, the government operation on the Khaplang group camps across the border in Myanmar was planned much earlier, sources said adding that it was not just in retaliation to the ambush on the Army convoy. The preparations for the commando raid were going on for the last two months with the Army, RAW and IB on board for the operations, it is learnt.