Ikato Chishi Swu, son of the late NSCN-IM Chairman Isak Chishi Swu, has declared his decision to sever ties with the NSCN-IM and align himself with two senior leaders based in Myanmar. Citing rampant corruption and allegations of running illegal alcohol syndicates among top leaders, Ikato Swu’s departure marks a pivotal moment within the insurgent group.
In a release yesterday, Ikato Swu lambasted the current leadership of the NSCN-IM, accusing them of selling positions within the hierarchy for exorbitant sums of money. He expressed disillusionment with the group’s direction under the leadership of Thuingaleng Muivah and military chief Anthony Shimray, asserting that the longstanding Naga issue cannot be resolved under their stewardship.
Ikato Swu’s decision to join forces with HS Ramsan and Absalom Raman, both senior leaders based in Myanmar, signals a potential fracture within the NSCN-IM. His move, reportedly accompanied by approximately 25 cadres, raises speculation about the formation of a new faction within the insurgent outfit.
Efforts by the NSCN-IM leadership based in Camp Hebron to reconcile with Ramsan and Raman through peace missions across the border have proven futile, highlighting deep-seated divisions within the organization.
Reflecting on his father’s legacy alongside Thuingaleng Muivah, Ikato Swu acknowledged the pivotal role they played in founding the NSCN-IM in 1980 following the failed 1975 Shillong Accord. However, he lamented that the group had deviated from its original path since his father’s passing, prompting his decisive breakaway.
The emergence of Ikato Swu’s dissent and his alignment with senior leaders in Myanmar poses a critical challenge to the unity of the NSCN-IM. With the potential formation of a new faction looming, the implications for Naga insurgency dynamics remain uncertain.
