Guwahati, July 24 -- The Myanmar-based Eastern Flank of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has announced the formation of a provisional government headed by Ikato I. Chishi Swu, son of the outfit's co-founder and former chairman Isak Chishi Swu, in a move that formalises its split with the Hebron-based leadership led by Thuingaleng Muivah.

The decision was announced through a resolution adopted at an "Extraordinary Joint Emergency Meeting" of the Eastern Flank held at Mt. Horeb Camp in Myanmar on July 21. The meeting was chaired by the faction's vice-chairman, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) H.S. Ramsan.

The faction said the provisional government had been constituted to "rescue the Naga political movement from its present predicament...