Phunting Shimrah, the former self-styled Commander-in-Chief of the armed wing of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) – NSCN(IM) – has crossed over to China. He is said to have been spotted at Ruili area in Yunnan.

There are red faces in the Home Ministry as former underground Naga leaders were under the watch of security forces and Intelligence agencies. The escape of a high-profile former Commander-in-Chief has come as an embarrassment to the Government with the Naga accord believed to be at an advanced stage for signing.