Dimapur, January 21 (MExN): The reported abduction of a businessman on January 19 has triggered widespread condemnation from a cross section of society, with civil society organisations, youth bodies and business associations demanding swift action against those responsible and stronger measures to ensure public safety and prevent a recurrence of such incidents. They also urged civil society organisations and the public at large to speak out against what they termed blatant violations of human rights and dignity.
The businessman, Kiyeto Zhimomi (Kits), Head Gaonbura of Vikuho village, was reportedly abducted from the Mishikito area under Chümoukedima district on the evening of January 19 by armed cadres.
He was later released in the early hours of January 20 and is reportedly undergoing medical treatment following alleged physical assault. He was reportedly abducted by cadres of the NSCN-K (Khango–Vusshe).
DAYO: The Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) said it was deeply disturbed by the incident occurring at a time when the people of Nagaland are yearning for peace, stability and progress.
Abduction as a grave criminal act and an inhumane form of intimidation that threatens public safety, undermines societal dignity and disrupts social harmony, it held.
While expressing relief over the businessman’s safe release, the DAYO said such acts can never be justified and termed the incident a “warning sign” for the State’s security environment.
The incident sends a wrong message to the business community and citizens striving to contribute to the State’s economy, it stated, while appealing to all concerned to refrain from abduction, coercion, intimidation and other unlawful activities.
The organisation urged the government and law-enforcing agencies to ensure peace and public safety, prevent such recurrence, and reaffirmed its commitment to peace and harmonious living, calling for an environment where citizens can live and work without fear.
DCCI:The incident is another direct affront to the business community, which has long borne illegal taxation, threats and harassment by multiple Naga Political Groups (NPGs), the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) said.
The incident also reflects the incompetence and laid-back attitude of the government and law-enforcing agencies in dealing with excesses by armed cadres, it added.
Pointing out that the victim had reportedly filed several FIRs that were ‘left unattended,’ the chamber questioned the continued “inaction” and asked how long the government and police would “beat around the bush.”
Accordingly, the DCCI demanded a thorough investigation, the immediate arrest of all those involved, and that action taken be made public to quell rising unrest.
Continued inaction could compel the business community to adopt democratic means to safeguard their safety and livelihood, it added.
NGBF: The Nagaland Gaonburas Federation (NGBF) also condemned the incident as a “cowardly and reprehensible act” striking at the very heart of the community’s safety, dignity and traditional institutions.
The NGBF said the incident undermines the pursuit of peace and reconciliation, adding that such violence brings shame to society at a time when the Naga people seek unity and an honourable political solution.
The federation demanded immediate accountability of all those involved and called for an impartial and thorough investigation to ensure swift justice for the victim. It also reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding citizens’ rights and upholding traditional institutions.
SH and SKH: The abduction of an unarmed civilian, a respected village authority and a well-known member of the business community constitutes a serious criminal act and an affront to customary institutions and public order, the Sümi Hoho (SH) and the Sümi Kükami Hoho (SKH) asserted in a joint statement.
Such lawless acts are unacceptable and reflect a blatant disregard for human dignity and the collective will of the people, and severely undermine the fragile peace and security of society, it said.
Acts of abduction and violence against civilians erode whatever moral or political legitimacy any group may claim and only deepen fear, mistrust and instability within the community, it added.
The duo said targeting civilians and customary leaders would not be tolerated, asserting that any such assault strikes at the foundations of Naga society and that peace cannot be sustained through fear or coercion.
WNYF: Strongly condemning the January 19 incident, the Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF) said it was not the first such case and maintained that continued inaction by law-enforcement agencies and authorities could lead their recurrence.
For over a year, the WNYF has repeatedly demanded preventive measures and strict accountability against anti-social elements, it pointed out.
However, it held that the continued silence and inaction of the ceasefire monitoring board, government administration and law-enforcement agencies amount to a serious failure of duty and stated that an unchecked climate of lawlessness would harm peace, public confidence and social stability.
The WNYF cautioned that the “patience of the people” should not be taken for granted and called for a radical shift marked by firm political will, strict enforcement of the law and uncompromising accountability to dismantle such forces.
WSH and WSKH: The Western Sümi Hoho (WSH) and the Western Sümi Kukami Hoho (WSKH), in a joint statement, strongly condemned what they described as rising incidents of kidnapping, abduction and ransom-driven intimidation, terming such acts criminal and unacceptable in Naga society or any political cause.
Specifically denouncing the January 19 incident, the duo said the targeting of a village authority and local entrepreneur reflects grave lawlessness, adding that the crime remains serious and unacceptable despite the victim’s release.
In this connection, the WSH and WSKH affirmed that the matter would be pursued through all appropriate customary, civil and legal mechanisms, and any individuals or groups found guilty would be held fully responsible and accountable.
The duo further stated that the abduction and intimidation of Naga entrepreneurs and community leaders for ransom represent a grave descent into criminality against one’s own people and amounts to a betrayal of communal values.
Any individual or group invoking the Naga political cause while “terrorising” civilians for monetary gain forfeits all moral, ethical and political legitimacy, they added.
Kidnapping, abduction, extortion and armed intimidation would not be tolerated within the WSH and WSKH jurisdiction, the duo categorically stated.
