NSCN(K) gives Airtel 1 month to pack up or face demolition

The NSCN(K) (National Socialist Council of Nagaland led by SS Khaplang) has served a one-month ultimatum to the biggest mobile service provider — Airtel — to leave Nagaland and remove all its infrastructure from the State, failing which the militant group will take over the demolition process.

According to NSCN(K), Airtel was culpable of “practicing manipulative lobby” to misguide a certain “major NGO” and also attempting to create chasm between NSCN(K), civil organisations and the Naga public “with pure ulterior motive to maximise its profit.” NSCN(K) said, it took strong exception to a private company “daring to challenge and undermine its authority and such conspiracy shall never be tolerated.”

Further, the group warned of initiating ‘military action’ against the company officials, if found contravening this directive.The outfit had, in March this year, withdrew ceasefire agreement with the Indian Government and has ambushed Indian security forces couple of times since then.Talking to The Pioneer, Nagaland Director General of Police ll Doungel said, “I am aware about NSCN(K)’s ultimatum to Airtel. We are examining the operational presence of the telecom company across the State and forces have been put on vigil.”

“I am informed that the NSCN(K) had demanded some money from Airtel, which the company refused. This, perhaps, agitated the militants,” he added.

The DGP also shared, “Though the telecom major has most of its installations in Zunheboto district-13 towers we are taking all precautions to thwart any such attempt by the militants to demolish those.An Airtel spokesperson in Guwahati, however, expressed his ignorance over the development.