Myanmar army may target NSCN-K’s headquarters – Indian Intelligence

19 October 2015
Myanmar army may target NSCN-K’s headquarters – Indian Intelligence
Khaplang at his den flanked by his bodyguards Photo: samir kar purkayastha/PCDN

With National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Khaplang (NSCN-K) staying out of the nationwide ceasefire accord (NCA) signed on Friday between Myanmar and eight ethnic armed groups (EAGs), India feels it is only a matter of time before the Myanmar Army targets the outfit's headquarters in Taga in the Myanmar Naga Hills, according to a Times of India report on 19 October. 
According to sources in the Indian intelligence establishment, the immunity that NSCN-K had enjoyed in Myanmar by virtue of its ceasefire arrangement with Yangon has ended as the NCA, signed in Nay Pyi Taw, supersedes all previous ceasefire agreements. 
In fact, following NSCN-K's refusal to be part of the pact that requires all signatories to amalgamate their independent armed militias into a regular army, Myanmar troops have launched punitive operations against the outfit's facilities in the upper Myanmar Naga Hills. Two major bases at Ponyu and Langhting have been burnt down and a few weapons seized, driving out cadres to the forests and mountain hideouts, the report said. 
"The next target could be another major establishment at Yanching and NSCN-K headquarters in Taga," a senior intelligence official told the Times of India. The official said the NCA, for which India pushed hard from behind the scenes, was a win-win situation as it showcased India as a key player in establishing regional peace and helping its neighbours deal with ethnic conflicts.