Relatives weep over the body of an NSCN (U) rebel killed in the clash on Wednesday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Kohima, June 5: A former functionary appointed by Delhi to oversee the ceasefire ground rules in Nagaland, today pointed out crucial flaws in the post, saying it has “neither power nor force” to keep the two NSCN factions apart.

Lt Gen. (retd) Ramesh V. Kulkarni had bowed out as the chairman of the ceasefire monitoring group of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and the ceasefire supervisory board of NSCN (Khaplang) on May 31.

“My duty as the chairman was to monitor and not to enforce the rules,” Kulkarni told The Telegraph before his departure from Nagaland.

He said there was criticism from many quarters over the non-enforcement of truce ground rules, but defended himself saying he had no power to enforce them. “There was no moral authority to function without power and force,” he said.

Special secretary (internal affairs) M.L. Kumawat has replaced Gen. Kulkarni.

Nagaland has been rocked by a series of violent clashes between the two NSCN factions as well as the newly formed NSCN (United) which was siding with Khaplang. As recently as yesterday, 16 rebels from both sides died in clashes in and around Dimapur town.

Gen. Kulkarni, however, said it was for the people of the state to judge and understand the ground realities and what he had done for the state. He said all efforts had been done for the wellbeing of the people.

The general was criticised for his “non-performance” and the NSCN (K) had repeatedly demanded that the Centre should remove him from his post.

NSCN (K) said the removal of Gen. Kulkarni would create a gap, but also expressed the hope that there would be some improvement in the law and order under Kumawat.

The ministry of home affairs said it would not recognise the existence of the NSCN/GPRN.

A.K. Goyal, director in the ministry of home affairs, said the Centre has a ceasefire with only NSCN (I-M) and NSCN (K) and not with the NSCN/GPRN.

Goyal had written to the state government saying, “I am directed to say that it has brought to the notice of the government that the NSCN (K) is claiming itself as NSCN/GPRN,” the official said. He said the Centre would never recognise the outfit.

Of late the NSCN (K) leaders have directed all concerned not to affix the letter ‘K’ after NSCN.