NSCN(IM) splits, faction announces autonomy

A group of leaders broke away from the Isak-Muivah-led National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) and announced formation of a 'provisional government'.

The breakaway faction, called the Eastern Flank, held an emergency meeting on July 21 at Mt Horeb Camp in Myanmar's Sagaing region.

Ikato Chishi Swu, son of late NSCN-IM co-founder Isak Chishi Swu, was named chairman of the nine-member provisional government; Hs Ramsan is vice chairman.

The faction declared 'null and void' expulsion orders issued by NSCN-IM against Swu, Ramsan, and others, and rejected the leadership's submitted 'competencies' to the Centre as compromising the Naga political position.

The faction asserted the spirit of the 1997 ceasefire has ended and vowed to continue political and armed resistance for a sovereign Naga nation.