Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 1
The GPRN/NSCN (Neokpao-Alezo) claimed that its leadership and organisational structure is intact despite the recent capture of Khehoyi camp, its Council Headquarters, by the N Kitovi Zhimomi led group. According to its Ato Kilonser, Alezo Venuh, the GPRN/NSCN’s quest and desire for Naga reconciliation under the leadership of General (Retired) MB Neokpao Konyak, remains on course.
The Naga Political Group’s (NPG) Collective Leadership addressed a press conference at its army chief, Samson Aye’s residence in Dimapur on April 1. It was addressed by Ato Kilonser, Venuh; Kilo Kilonser, Huvito Yepthomi; Member of the Collective Leadership, C Singson; and two senior army leaders.
It was their first media appearance, since the March 22 incident in the Khehoyi Camp. The press conference was preceded by what was described as an ‘Emergency Joint Council’ of their entire setup.
“The government and the Naga army are intact. President is there. Ato Kilonser is there. Kilo Kilonser (Huvito Yepthomi) is there. Chief of the Army (Samson Aye) is there. The leadership of Neokpao is intact,” said Venuh.
He said that it was Neokpao and Singson, who signed the Ceasefire agreement with the Government of India and which continues to be upheld.
While Kitovi Zhimomi may have illegally occupied the Council Headquarters, he held that Khehoyi camp would officially belong to them. He said that they have the ways and means to retake it but exercised restraint, adding, “We don't want to take a path that would be detrimental to peace.” Equating the incident to betrayal, he said that their confidante, Brig Kiyeto Zhimomi, connived with a few others to allow the alleged takeover by Kitovi, using reconciliation as a ruse.
“Kitovi has spoken of peace and reconciliation but his actions speak otherwise,” he held. On the day, he said that weapons were taken away from the camp’s armoury. He added that keeping the weapons in the public domain is not safe.
Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant General Aheto Chophy claimed that some 60-70 weapons were taken away from the armoury, and around 17 were confiscated from the sentries on guard that day. He accused Kitovi of buying his way into the camp, bribing certain GPRN/NSCN personnel. He did not specify the amount involved however. According to him, it was a rancorous act by Kitovi for his ouster from the GPRN/NSCN.
Senior member of the Collective Leadership, C Singson said that the taking of Khehoyi was irrelevant to the issue at hand. “Just because Kitovi took Khehoyi doesn't imply the end of the GPRN/NSCN. We will still function as a government,” he said.
According to him, resolving the Naga issue is greater than who takes control of Khehoyi. Branding it a Kitovi-Neokpao issue is “cheap politics,” he said, or a very narrow way of viewing the issue. Assuming control over the camp becoming an issue would tantamount to misusing the platform of Naga unification, he added.
He said that the Kitovi and Neokpao camps reconciling alone is not going to resolve the Naga issue. On the other hand, he held that reconciliation and solution lies with the people, implying the rallying of all Nagas, including the tribal hohos and other civil society organisations.
While reconciliation eludes the Nagas, he said that bloodshed has reduced, and that he would not want the GPRN/NSCN responsible for restarting it all over again.
Kilo Kilonser, Huvito Yepthomi informed that the GPRN/NSCN reposed faith in the leadership of Neokpao Konyak and Alezo Venuh at the day’s Emergency Joint Council. Later, in the evening, a press note from its Ministry of Information and Publicity stated that all members, comprising the MCL, ACL, NPAC, Council of Kilonsers, Tatars, HoDs, Naga Army and 22 Regions and sub-Regions, resolved to stand with their two leaders.
