By NewsGram Staff Writer

The Indian Army is all set to deal with any violence undertaken by the Myanmar based Naga separatist faction. "This time we will deal with the rebels quite differently," said a top commander.

Lieutenant General, Bipin Rawat, is the commanding officer of the Indian Army's Kohima-based 3 Corps, which is responsible for the counter-insurgency operations in Nagaland and other northeastern states. He said confidently, "The faction headed by Myanmarese Naga rebel leader S.S. Khaplang can't do much because it lacks popular support."

The people in Nagaland have got used to the idea of peace dividends for the last 17 years and any rebellion is not well received by the common people. Military operations affect the normal lives of people and so Khaplang stands isolated, said Lt. Gen Rawat to IANS.

"Other Naga rebel factions and extremist political groups have no stomach for fresh violence, as they have got used to peace. So, they are determined to keep his fighters out of Nagaland," Lt. Gen. Rawat said.

Khalpang, on the other hand, claimed that Indian intelligence is using other Naga rebel factions because they have given up the demand for the Naga Independence.

Lt. Gen Rawat said, "The locals are supporting us because Khaplang has violated the ceasefire before by assailing the Indian troops and killing 8 of them in the Mon district. The Indian army restrained the troops and owing to it, there was no backlash from the common people."