NSCN-K leader Niki Sumi shows interest in peace parleys with Government of India

The NikiSumi group has been reportedly taking shelter at Amimi Village in Myanmar's Sagaing Division, which is under the township of Lesi and declared as 'Naga Self-Administered Zone' inside Myanmar.

The source added that a team of the Indian Army received Niki Sumi at the Indo-Myanmar border in Phek district of Nagaland. He is likely to proceed for New Delhi to hold talks with the Indian Government authority for joining the Naga peace talk which is just at the doorstep of a final solution.

While the State government had stated that it has nothing to do with the Naga Solution, but sources said that the priority of Sumi's visit's is for settlement of the Naga Issue. Still, it remains unclear whether the NSCN (K) breakaway faction led by Niki Sumi will join the Naga National Political Group (NNPG) or will decide to take part in the peace process as a separate entity.

A team of top officials are meeting Niki Sumi to clarify the final ceasefire agreement to be inked on December 28.

The Government of India (GoI) has already given NSCN/GPRN the assurance of a ceasefire as soon as possible to further strengthen the Naga peace process. And, talks have been going on to maintain an amicable relationship with a permanent solution; inclusive of all Naga stakeholders is underway.

Announcing ceasefire on December 23, the NSCN (K) said that it has contacted the Central government for initiating a peace dialogue. Initially, the NSCN (K) had signed a ceasefire with the Centre in 2001 but it unilaterally abrogated the truce in 2015.

Niki Sumi is the prime suspect in the attack on an Army convoy in Manipur's Chandel district on June 4, 2015. As many as 18 Indian Army soldiers were killed in the ambush carried out by NSCN (K) cadres who had come from Myanmar.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for his arrest. Sumi was expelled from a Myanmar-based camp of the NSCN (K) in June last year, following which the Indian securities have been trying to trail him.

He floated a new outfit on December 18. Meanwhile, the securities had worked on Sumi's return to India with an eye to conclude the Naga Peace deal. This development had arrived prior to Union Minister's visit to Assam and Manipur on December 26 and December 27. (Agencies)

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