Experts have given mixed response to the Indian Government's move to ban the militant the Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 because of its refusal to give up its violent ways.
Urging the leadership of the NSCN-K to come forward for negotiations to ensure peace and stability in Nagaland and adjoining areas, Professor Amar Yumnam, an economist and an analyst, said, "I don't think banning is what the government of India is looking as ultimate solution, but they are all using as a means so there is no question of justification or non-justification. They are using it as one of the means to make the NSCN realise that the Government of India really means business and really want to have talks with them."
Ksh Bimola Devi, another professor and political analyst, said, "In course of time, the government is to review the policy of banning NSCN (K) because the negotiation with NSCN (IM) may not be a successful one without taking into confidence the NSCN (K), because the important point is, there are many members of the NSCN (K) in Nagaland and neighboring states. So, because of that, if the Indian government want to promote or restore complete peace in whole of northeast India, then, I think, the policy of government to ban this NSCN(K) is justified to an extent."
The militant outfit came into existence in 1988 and is active along the Indo-Myanmar border. It has been accused of killing innocent civilians and security forces.
For instance, on June 4, 2015, the Naga outfit attacked an army convoy in the Chandel district of Manipur and killed 18 soldiers.
India has asked Myanmar to hand over four top leaders of the NSCN-K, including its chief S S Khaplang and militant commander Niki Sumi.
The outfit has been involved in a series of attacks on security forces in Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.