DIMAPUR, JANUARY 27 (MExN): The recent statement by Nagaland DGP Rupin Sharma regarding the January 19 alleged assault and abduction of Kiyeto Zhimomi have drawn a rebuttal from the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs).
At a press conference on January 23, the DGP said he would support the relocation of Ceasefire Supervisory Board offices out of populated areas, as demanded by Western Sumi organisations.
In a press statement, the WC, NNPGs expressed disapproval over the DGP’s handling of the incident, accusing the officer of adopting a dismissive tone and making sweeping generalisations regarding all Naga Political Groups (NPG). The statement issued by its media cell, on January 27, said that the “WC, NNPGs feels betrayed at the manner in which the officer painted all the Naga political groups with the same brush in a reckless, dismissive, unschooled tone, ignoring his role as a representative in the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG),” a role tasked with maintaining and brokering peace.
The statement particularly took issue with the DGP’s appeal to the public, village headmen, and landowners to withdraw No Objection Certificates (NOCs) previously granted for CFSB offices.
It maintained that the DGP’s generalisation was unwarranted, noting that the cadres of the NSCN-K (Khango-Hokato) responsible for the assault had already been identified and terminated from service. According to it, the terminations were carried out for violating the Yehzabo (constitution) and discipline, ensuring that “justice is served to the guilty” in accordance with revolutionary principles.
While stating that the DGP’s approach ignored what it said was the “cold, hard facts” of the unresolved Indo-Naga political issue, it argued that the police chief must differentiate between routine law-and-order problems and the protracted Indo-Naga political problem. While acknowledging the police’s role in monitoring criminal activity, the committee questioned the department’s stance on systemic corruption and embezzlement of public funds, alleging that such issues often involve individuals with whom the DGP “rubs shoulders on a daily basis.”
“The Ceasefire between the Government of India (GoI) and Naga representatives has a political and historical connotation,” the statement read, adding that the mechanism was designed to build confidence and facilitate negotiations. The committee noted that previous police chiefs and Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) chairpersons had maintained cordial relationships with the Naga Political Groups and civil society on these matters.
The WC, NNPGs further asserted that since political negotiations have officially concluded, the DGP should utilise his office to facilitate an “acceptable and honorable” political solution rather than focusing on increased surveillance and security measures in Dimapur and Kohima.
Referencing the long history of Naga nationalism — from the formation of the Naga Club in 1918 to the present — the WC, NNPGs asserted that the movement remains a political struggle rather than a mere security issue.
