Dimapur, March 31 (MExN): The President of GPRN/NSCN, General (Retired) MB Neokpao Konyak, today accused N Kitovi Zhimomi of allegedly orchestrating a coup attempt at the Khehoyi Camp, its Council Headquarters, on March 22.
“Kitovi himself had orchestrated and executed the plot by dispatching his deputy, Kiyehe Yeptho, to seize control of the Ceasefire Designated Camp, Khehoyi, in collusion with my GSO-1, Brig Kiyeto Zhimomi,” claimed a statement issued by Neokpao.
According to the statement, most Army Officers of the Neokpao-led GPRN/NSCN, including Army Chief General Samson Aye, had left the camp on March 21 after a week-long engagement for the Naga Republic Day celebration. It further accused Kitovi of acting “ignorant about the armed intrusion perpetrated by his own men.”
Stating that reconciliation cannot be achieved under the “barrel of the gun or through dictated terms under duress,” Neokpao accused Kitovi of his “insincere and deceptive” clamour for reconciliation and asserted that the “GPRN/NSCN (Unification) will no longer be subjected to his falsehoods.”
“If the call for reconciliation was sincere and genuine, what was the necessity of snatching away the weapons of my two senior army officers, Maj. Gen. Phanlong Konyak and Maj. Gen. Shamlao Konyak, by the intruders deputed by him?” Neokpao further posed.
The statement also alleged that the “intruders went on looting the armoury and every valuable from the residence of almost every senior worker.”
Neokpao further noted that his fortified premises exercised utmost restraint, or else there could have been “heavy casualties.” He also expressed gratitude to the WSH and WCPO leaders for intervening to avert a “potential armed conflict” between his men and the intruders.
The GPRN/NSCN President further questioned why, if reconciliation was the genuine intention, he was permitted to retain only two weapons, terming it a “humiliation.”
To this end, Neokpao asserted that reconciliation cannot be achieved selectively and that Kitovi cannot “dictate terms that exclude my senior personnel and officials, including Brig. Hozheto Zhimomi, who was disarmed and expelled from the camp.”
“All these incidents unequivocally demonstrate that this was a coup and had nothing to do with reconciliation,” the statement added.
Neokpao further reminded Kitovi that following his “impeachment and expulsion from GPRN/NSCN (Unification), his deployment of armed personnel into the Designated Camp constitutes an unlawful act.”
“The siege itself is also illegal, given that Khehoyi Camp under my leadership is officially recognised under the provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement signed by myself and Mr C. Singson, senior Kilonser, with the Government of India,” Neokpao asserted.
As a non-ceasefire entity and not a party to the ceasefire, keeping the Designated Camp under siege contravenes all established protocols between the GOI and GPRN/NSCN (Unification), he added.
Neokpao also reiterated that the GPRN/NSCN (Unification), under his leadership, has consistently endeavoured to achieve reconciliation among the Nagas.
