Cracks in NSCN-IM? Ikato Chishi Swu, Son of Founding Leader Isak Chishi Swu Joins Myanmar-based Leaders

Ikato accused NSCN-IM of running alcohol syndicates and that under the present leadership, the Naga issue can never be resolved.

The NSCN-IM appears to be facing a big rebellion with Ikato Chishi Swu, son of the group’s deceased Chairman Isak Chishi Swu, announcing his decision to snap ties and join two senior leaders based in Myanmar.

Ikato Swu issued a hard-hitting signed statement yesterday saying the NSCN-IM is plagued with rampant corruption and accused some leaders of running alcohol syndicates etc. Ikato Swu also alleged that positions within the NSCN-IM hierarchy could be purchased by paying huge sums of money.

Ikato said under the present leadership of the NSCN-IM, the Naga issue can never be resolved.
He said under the circumstances, he has decided to join hands with two senior NSCN-IM leaders, HS Ramsan and Absalom Raman.

Both Ramsan and Raman are based in Myanmar and Ikato Swu’s decision to join them is expected to strengthen the position of those who are opposed to the leadership of Th Muivah, the group military chief Anthony Shimray and others.

Sources said Ikato Swu joined his Myanmar based leaders about a week ago along with around 25 other cadres. The big question now is whether Ikato Swu and his senior Myanmar based associates will split the NSCN-IM and form a new faction. If a new faction is indeed formed, it is likely that Ikato, a Naga from Nagaland, will become the general secretary or the Ato Kilonser.

Sources said the Camp Hebron- based NSCN-IM leadership had sent two peace missions to meet with Ramsan and Raman across the border to sort out the supposed differences but the efforts did not yield results.

Ikato Swo said his father along with Thuingaleng Muivah had formed the NSCN-IM in 1980 after the failed 1975 Shillong Accord and had taken the Nagaland movement to great heights. But, he said, the actions of the group and some of its leaders after his father’s death, has led to the straying of the organisation to an unacceptable direction.

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) was formed on January 31, 1980, by Isak Chishi Swu of the Sumi (Sema) tribe, Thuingaleng Muivah of the Tangkhul tribe, and S. S. Khaplang opposing the ‘Shillong Accord’ signed by the then NNC (Naga National Council) with the Indian government.

However, internal differences emerged within the NSCN leadership, particularly over whether to engage in dialogue with the Indian government. This led to a significant split on April 30, 1988, dividing the outfit into two factions:
NSCN-IM (Isak-Muivah) led by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah
NSCN-K led by S. S. Khaplang

Now, in a major blow to the NSCN-IM, the most significant since the 1988 split, Ikato Chishi Swu, son of the group’s late Chairman Isak Chishi Swu, has announced his decision to sever ties with the faction and align with two senior leaders based in Myanmar. His departure marks a symbolic and strategic setback for the NSCN-IM, shaking the faction’s long-standing legacy.

Also Read: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio Links Eastern Nagaland’s Backwardness To British Era

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