UNPG/NNC refutes ‘fictitious' declaration; GPRN/NSCN (Kitovi) hails ‘bold decision’
Dimapur, November 27 (MExN): Conflicting claims emerged today, revealing sharp differences a day after the United Naga Peoples’ Government/Naga National Council (UNPG/NNC) announced its merger with the GPRN/NSCN (Kitovi).
On November 26, the UNPG/NNC had formally announced its dissolution and its decision to join the GPRN/NSCN (Kitovi) “in full affirmation and support.” The step was taken to expedite an early and acceptable Naga political solution under the leadership of GPRN/NSCN (Kitovi) President Major (Retd) R M Lotha and Ato Kilonser N Kitovi Zhimomi, who is also the Convener of the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs), it stated.
However, in a strong rejoinder issued today, the UNPG/NNC (PB) dismissed the earlier declaration issued by its Acting Ato Kilonser as “fictitious and deceptive and an intention to create conflict and confusion within the Government and the NNPGs as a whole.”
“The claims made through the unauthorized press release are unfounded, incorrect and not based on any official communication from the UNPG/NNC Government,” it asserted.
It further clarified that the “UNPG/NNC Government aligns with the common sentiment of the people for an early and acceptable solution and will always welcome any practical and constructive step to expedite or facilitate the Naga solution.”
The UNPG/NNC “stands firmly” with the WC NNPGs under the stewardship of Gen (Retd) MB Neokpao Konyak as Convener, it added.
Meanwhile, the GPRN/NSCN (Kitovi) has welcomed what it termed a “bold decision” made by the UNPG/NNC leaders led by their Ato Kilonser, Tsaliba Sangtam, and Kilo Kilonser, Tono Zhimo, for “taking a step to integrate and join the GPRN/NSCN mainstream” under the collective leadership of Maj (Retd) Lotha and Ato Kilonser Zhimomi.
The decision reflected the “indispensable unity and shared aspiration” expressed by Nagas at the Naga Common Platform programme. It added that the development is a significant step towards fostering a unified approach to address the long-pending Indo-Naga political solution with the Government of India, which, it claimed, had already been concluded on October 31, 2019.
