Dimapur, January 26 (MExN): The Western Sumi Hoho (WSH), Western Sumi Kukami Hoho (WSKH) and Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF) have decided to reconsider, in good faith, part of the ultimatum served on the NSCN-K (Khango-Hokato) group following January 19 incident while issuing stern and non-negotiable conditions and a final warning against any future violations.
In a joint resolution adopted on January 26, the apex Western Sumi organisations took serious note of the January 19 incident in which Kiyeto Zhimomi, a businessman and Akukatou, Vikuho Village, under Western Sumi jurisdiction, was allegedly abducted, assaulted and subjected to physical violence by cadres of the NSCN-K (Khango-Hokato), presently under ceasefire with the Government of India.
The joint resolution termed the act a grave violation of social order, customary respect and the spirit of the ceasefire agreement and noted that a four-point ultimatum had been issued to the group in response with 48-hour deadline.
It also acknowledged that three of the four points have since been complied with, including public apology and “forced discharge” from service.
The fourth point, which pertains to the shifting of the group’s Ceasefire Monitoring Cell (CFMC) from public-inhabited areas, has been reconsidered after the NSCN-K (Khango-Hokato), submitted a request to the Western Sumi bodies.
After deliberations, the WSH, WSKH and their frontal organisations clarified that the location, functioning and regulation of Ceasefire Monitoring Cells involve third-party stakeholders, including the Ceasefire Supervisory Board, the State Government and other competent authorities. In this context, the ultimatum has been reconsidered “in good faith, considering the peace process,” but without diluting the seriousness of the offence committed.
‘Stern & unequivocal directives’
However, the reconsideration comes with what the organisations described as “stern and unequivocal directives.” They asserted that the CFMC must function strictly within the mandate and purpose defined under the ceasefire ground rules; that the Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group/Board must streamline the activities of the group in accordance with these ground rules; and that the CFMC office must not be misused as a platform for intimidation, ransom demands or any form of parallel governance.
The Western Sumi organisation made it clear that any future violation, repetition of such acts, or misuse of the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell would invite “zero tolerance,” adding that no compromise or reconsideration would be entertained thereafter.
Issuing a final and unambiguous warning, the organisations cautioned all Naga political groups operating in Western Sumi-inhabited areas, irrespective of status or affiliation, against targeting their leaders, members or the general public.
They further cautioned that if any office-bearer of the WSH, WSKH or WSYF, any bona fide Sumi individual, or members of the general Naga society are intimidated, abducted, harassed, assaulted or threatened in the future, such acts would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
In such an eventuality, the resolution stated that the WSH, WSKH or WSYF and all their frontal organisations would be compelled to initiate actions deemed necessary and appropriate, collectively and decisively, to safeguard the dignity, safety and authority of their people and institutions, without any conditions attached.
