Just in- Isak Chishi Swu, the 86-year-old founder-member and chairman of National Socialist Council of Nagaland — Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), passed away this afternoon at around12:30 pm at Fortis hospital, Vasat Kunj, New Delhi.
The octogenarian Naga leader is said to have been diagnosed with urinary tract infection a few years ago. He came to India to undergo treatment in 2011 when he was issued a fresh Indian passport by authorities. Mr. Swu hails from Chishilimi village in Zunheboto.
Swu and general secretary of the outfit, Thuingaleng Muivah, have been the main persons engaged in dialogue with the Centre since 1997 when they signed a ceasefire.
The two joined the Naga National Council (NNC) in the early sixties. Swu was foreign secretary of the “Federal Government of Nagaland” and Muivah was general secretary of the NNC.
The two comrades along with “general” Thenousalie Keyho were the ones who were first to contact with Chinese leaders. They had also travelled far and wide in China and received Beijing’s assistance to fight New Delhi.
They along with S.S. Khaplang, a Naga from Myanmar, formed the NSCN on January 31, 1980 after the NNC had signed an agreement with the Centre known as Shillong Accord in 1975. But the NSCN again split on April 30, 1988, and the NSCN (K), led by Khaplang, was formed.