User:Sailingsmooth5/National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Unification)

Split with the NSCN-IM
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Unification (NSCN-U) was formed on November 23, 2007 with an inter-factional ‘truce agreement’ signed between the few cadres and leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the rival National Socialist Council of Nagaland–Khaplang (NSCN-K) at Hovishe under Niuland sub-division in the Dimapur district. The meeting was initiated and chaired by Hokiye, President of the Western Sumi Hoho, an influential body of the Sumi (Sema) tribe. The NSCN-IM was led by ‘Kilo-Kilonser’ (Home Minister) Azheto Chophy and the NSCN-K by ‘Kilonser’ (Cabinet Minister) C. Singson.

The NSCN-IM later rebuffed the agreement and said that it is not a party to the decisions arrived at the meeting. Both ‘chairman’ Isak Chisi Swu and ‘general secretary’ Thuingaleng Muivah of the IM faction alleged that the Niuland Declaration was made without the knowledge of the group’s ‘higher authority’, and accused Azheto Chophy of defection.

On January 21, the NSCN-IM 'dismisses' 27 of its cadres, who had defected along with former 'kilo kilonser' (home minister) Azheto Chophi from 'national service' with effect from January 22, 2008, for 'deliberately defying' a directive of the 'yaruiwo' (prime minister) Isak Chishi Swu to return from the "reactionary camp" and report to the Council Headquarters. Samson Jajo, 'chief principal secretary' of the NSCN-IM, said a decision towards this effect was taken in exercise of the decision of the "National Security Council". (https://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/nagaland/timeline/2008.htm)

As a result of the split, the NSCN-U began to arm itself for conflict against Isak Chishi Swu's forces. (https://www.satp.org/terrorist-profile/india-insurgencynortheast-nagaland/national-socialist-council-of-nagaland-unification-nscn-u)

NSCN-U/NSCN-IM Clashes
Clashes between the NSCN-U and NSCN-IM began starting in February 1, 2008, and continued until talks began in September 9 and 10, peaking between May and July. A partial list of fatal incidents is below. The exact timeline and number of casualties involved is still unknown.

March 25: The NSCN-U alleges that four people were abducted by the NSCN-IM on March 25 in Dimapur, and one was tortured to death. In retaliation, at least 4 NSCN-IM militants would be kidnapped by the NSCN-U from March 28 to April 3.

April 30: A colonel of the NSCN-IM dies when a lethode bomb accidentally explodes in his hand at Camp Hebron in Dimapur. He was reportedly operating as the ‘commanding officer’ of the NSCN-IM’s ‘NP Battalion’ in the Tamenglong district of Manipur. Meanwhile, the NSCN-U alleges that he was ‘executed’ at Camp Hebron on the suspicion of his attempt to defect to the NSCN-U.

May 1: Two civilians and a NSCN-U cadre are killed during an internecine clash between the rival NSCN-IM and NSCN-U militants at a village under sub-division in the Dimapur district.

May 4: Two NSCN-U cadres are killed during an internecine clash between the NSCN-IM and NSCN-U in the Wokha district.

May 13:  At least six civilians belonging to the Tangkhul community are abducted and killed by the NSCN-U at Vihokhu, Dimapur district.

May 16: At least 14 cadres of the NSCN-K and the NSCN-U are killed by the rival NSCN-IM militants during an internecine clash at a village in the Dimapur district. Two civilians are later killed by the NSCN-IM militants when they open fire on people who attack the cease-fire monitoring cell of the outfit located in the same area.

May 21: A Tangkhul trader is shot dead by NSCN-U militants in Dimapur district.

June 4: At least 15 cadres of the NSCN-IM and NSCN-U are killed in separate factional clashes in and around Dimapur. Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM says that following the clash people set ablaze the residence of one NSCN-IM lieutenant colonel at Purana Bazar in Dimapur.

June 7: One NSCN-IM militant is killed by the rival NSCN-U militants at an area in Dimapur.

June 10: One sergeant major of the NSCN-IM is killed by the rival NSCN-U militants in the Kohima district.

June 14: One NSCN-U cadre is shot dead by unidentified militants in the Dimapur district.

June 23: One NSCN-IM cadre is killed during a factional clash with the NSCN-U militants in Dimapur.

June 25: One NSCN-IM cadre is shot dead by the NSCN-U cadres at a village near Dimapur.

July 23: The local police recover the dead body of a person near a village in Dimapur. The NSCN-IM alleged that he was shot dead by the rival NSCN-U.

July 26: One trader is killed by suspected militants in Dimapur. The NSCN-U alleged that he was killed by NSCN-IM cadres.

August 1: One NSCN-U cadre is killed during a factional clash with the rival NSCN-IM militants at a farm land in the Dimapur district.

Allegations of Ethnic Cleansing
The NSCN-IM accuses the NSCN-U of carrying out an ethnic cleansing in Nagaland (May 5 2008). May 21:' A Tangkhul trader is shot dead by NSCN-U militants in Dimapur district. May 13:  At least six civilians belonging to the Tangkhul community are abducted and killed by the NSCN-U at Vihokhu, Dimapur district.