The death of 14 people in renewed clashes between two factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) on Wednesday showed once again how insurgency was spinning out of control in the hill state.

While 12 people were killed when NSCN(IM) activists attacked a camp of the rival NSCN(K) between Aoyim and Xelhozhe villages near Siethekima, about 16 km from Dimapur on Wednesday, two NSCN(IM) men were shot dead in a neighbouring area. The death toll in the on-going clashes between NSCN factions has reached a peak with the killings of at least 55 people from different factions just this year.

The government had found it relatively easier to maintain peace in Nagaland after both factions of the NSCN—one led by Thuingaleng Muivah and the other by SS Khaplang—had signed separate ceasefire agreements in July 1997 and August 2000 respectively. Though friction continued between the two over territorial supremacy, the situation took a turn for the worse with the creation of a third faction, the NSCN(U) on November 23, 2007. The faction was formed under the initiative of NSCN(IM) ‘Kilo-Kilonser’ (home minister) Azheto Chophy, who allegedly quit to join hands with C. Singson, a ‘Kilonser’ (cabinet minister) of the NSCN(K).

Factional clashes have so far left at least 25 NSCN(U) cadres dead, while the NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K) have lost at least five men each during 2008. Ten civilians have also been killed till now, caught in the crossfire.

The state government headed by Neiphiu Rio, which has come under fire from the Opposition Congress for failing to rein in NSCN cadres, has directed security forces to enforce the law against any member of the NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K) found violating the ceasefire rules. But the government is finding it more difficult to deal with the NSCN(U), since this newborn faction is neither a signatory to a ceasefire nor has it been declared an unlawful association.

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