Senapati: April 2,2024

In a significant development, fourteen key members of the military wing of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, commonly known as NSCN (Isak-Muivah), have openly opposed their commander-in-chief, “Lt. Gen.” Anthony Ningkhan Shimray.

Among the dissenting members are A. Raman, serving as the deputy commander-in-chief, along with ‘Brigadiers’ Y. Raleng and T. Vongdochu.

In a statement released by the Eastern Flank of NSCN (I-M)’s Naga Army on March 30, these officers expressed their discontent with Shimray’s leadership. They highlighted Shimray’s public declaration upon his release from prison in 2016, wherein he claimed to have been conditionally freed to bring other armed groups in the northeast into the mainstream—a move that raised suspicions among the dissenters regarding his allegiance to New Delhi.

Questioning whether Shimray was acting as an agent for the Government of India, the officers accused him of working in favor of New Delhi’s interests by undermining various revolutionary groups in the region. They cited instances such as the withdrawal of NSCN (I-M)’s command in Bangladesh in 2018, the alleged weakening of the Eastern Flank (Manipur) in collaboration with R.N. Ravi, the former interlocutor for the Naga peace process, and the unjustifiable closure of the deputy longvibu’s office in Manipur.

Concluding their statement, the officers expressed their conviction that Shimray, despite being released on bail by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), was serving the selfish interests of the Government of India. As a result, they declared their decision not to comply with his commands.

Awaiting a response from the office of the Naga army chief, this revolt underscores the internal divisions within NSCN (I-M) and raises questions about the future direction of the organization.