NSCN-IM just one of the terror groups in Nagaland, many more fighting against the Indian state

New Delhi: Nagaland has been plagued with insurgency and demand for secession from India ever since the country became independent from British rule on August 15, 1947. There are several terror groups active in the state which shares the international border on the east with Myanmar with Arunachal Pradesh in the north, Assam in west and Manipur in south.

While the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) NSCN-IM signed a peace deal with the Centre on Monday in New Delhi, the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khole-Kitovi (NSCN-KK) has a ceasefire agreement with the government.

The active terror groups in Nagaland include Federal Government of Nagaland-Non-Accordist (FGN-NA), Federal Government of Nagaland -Accordist (FGN-A), National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) – NSCN (K), Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Reformation (NSCN-R), Non-Accordist faction of Naga National Council (NNC-NA), Naga National Council-Accordist (NNC-Accordist) and Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF).

NSCN (K) is the strongest and the most deadly terror group active in the state. NSCN (K) also has a very strong presence in the Naga dominated areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and some districts of Assam. The group was behind the ambush and killing of 18 Indian Army soldiers of 6 Dogra Infantry Regiment on June 4, 2015 in Chandel district of Manipur.

There are two inactive groups - Naga National Council (Adino) – NNC (Adino) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Unification (NSCN-U).

Even though all these groups claim to be fighting for the cause of Naga tribes, yet they often train their guns on each other resulting in bloodshed. There are 17 major tribes and over 20 sub-tribes in Nagaland and even the insurgent groups are divided along the tribal lines. Ao, Angami, Sema, Lotha, Tangkhul, Konyak, Rengma and Mao are some of the major tribes.

The Nagas were the first to raise revolt against the Indian government when on August 14, 1947 under the aegis of the Naga National Council (NNC) led by Angami Zapu Phizo they declared that they were a separate nation.