National Highway Village Councils Forum (NHVCF) Convenor, Sebastian Zumvü and others address a press conference in Sovima on June 10. (Morung Photo)
Alleges inactive CFMG, writes to AK Mishra
Six-hour shutdown today
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 10
A forum of village councils has called for doing away with the Ceasefire Monitoring Offices of the various Naga Political Groups. The appeal was contained in a memorandum written by the National Highway Village Councils Forum (NHVCF) to AK Mishra, the Government of India’s (GoI) representative to the Indo-Naga political talks.
“We iterate that Ceasefire Monitoring offices of the factions should be done away with because these places have been converted into safe havens for criminals, and all cadres of the factions be concentrated in their designated camps,” stated the forum.
The forum is composed of 13 villages— Sovima, Unity, Thilixu, Chekiye, Ikishe, 5th Mile Model, 7th Mile Model, Tenyiphe I, Kirha, Sodzulhou, Kozabe, Diphupar B and Diphupar — which adjoining the NH 29. It was formed in the aftermath of the May 23, 2025, incident at Unity village when armed cadres of NSCN-K (Khango-Hokato) allegedly intruded into the residence of a kilonser of the NSCN (Reformation). The forum, in the memorandum, alleged that the intrusion was a bid to assassinate a rival functionary, and “thereby causing panic and fear psychosis in the minds of the villagers.”
It noted that the police and Assam Rifles promptly reacted and raided the residence of the alleged mastermind, behind the incident, one Khekato Kinimi. The said individual and accomplices, however, could not be arrested as they allegedly took refuge in the designated Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB) office of the NSCN-K (Khango-Hokato) in Thilixu, taking advantage of the Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR). The CFGR provides that the police and security forces cannot approach ceasefire offices and designated camps beyond a certain radius.
“We would like to mention here that this is not the first time identified criminals have taken refuge in the designated Ceasefire Monitoring Offices of the various factions,” it said.
It asserted that a crime should be treated as a crime and that the perpetrators of the May 23 incident in Unity village be arrested without delay.
When criminals are found taking refuge in any place, including ceasefire offices and designated camps, it demanded that the security forces should be empowered to enter the premises and apprehend them, “for which the Cease Fire Ground Rules need to be amended.”
In tandem, it added that the CFGR should be strictly implemented in letter and spirit, curbing the free movement of armed members of the NPGs, or indulging in extortion/illegal taxation, kidnapping or abduction for ransom.
It further said that since the Naga peace talks have concluded on October 31, 2019, as claimed by the former GoI Interlocutor RN Ravi, the peace process should be brought to a logical conclusion without delay enabling the people of Nagaland to live normal lives.
The National Highway Village Councils Forum (NHVCF) also announced a six-hour business shutdown in areas falling within the limits of the 13 affiliate villages on June 11. NHVCF Convenor, Sebastian Zumvü reiterated the decision to go ahead with the business shutdown at a press conference at Sovima village, on June 10, where he also announced the NHVCF’s move to submit the memorandum to AK Mishra. When and where they will submit the memorandum to Mishra was not disclosed however.
Zumvü said that the shutter down is being called in protest to express their disapproval of the May 23 incident. He also pointed out a largely held notion of an allegedly inactive Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CMFG). He maintained that the issue the 13 villages are raising concerns every citizen of the state. The intent, he said, is to prick the conscience the NPGs that the Naga public has had enough of their misconduct in the name of Naga nationalism.
He held that the CFGR has “grey areas,” which has in turn resulted in law and order issues coming to be treated as Naga political issue.
Ceasefire agreements have been signed but hostilities continue, he added. According to him, it has allowed the mushrooming of multiple groups, while tying the hands of the police against crimes committed by members of the various NPGs.
He said that the Naga issue should not be dragged on, and carried over to the next generation.
