Morung Express News
December 13
DIMAPUR: The NSCN (K) has pressed the Ao Senden that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) be signed to resolve the standoff which cropped between the two organizations in the aftermath of the August 2003 Mokokchung incident when cadres and functionaries of the NSCN (K) were ejected from the town after the outfit allegedly killed an innocent student.
However, the Ao Senden will be taking a decision in this regard only after the General Conference of the Hoho scheduled to be held December 15, Thursday, according to the Senden.
“The Ao Senden as representatives of the Ao community will deliberate on the August 2003 Mokokchung incident and further decisions will be taken to resolve the impasse” said Ao Senden President Bendang Jamir. While calling for political conscience from the NSCN (K)’s side, he however asserted that the Aos would refuse any agreement that is imposed. “Any agreement in this regard will have to be without pre-conditions. If the MoU is not acceptable to the Aos, we will not accept it” the Senden president said.
It was told by Senden sources that the NSCN (K) had pressed the Ao Senden on an MoU in a ‘policy of forgive and forget’ after which two ‘peace actions’ namely the resolution adopted by the Senden on August 29, 2003 against the faction be withdrawn and in exchange the name of President Bendang Jamir also be removed from the hit-list of the NSCN (K). Sources on condition on anonymity had informed that the President’s name topped the NSCN (K)’s hit-list.
Finance Kilonser and member of Peace Committee for the Mokokchung issue, NSCN (K) Kughalu Mulatonu told The Morung Express that Aos would be “choosing their own destiny” dependent on their acceptance/rejection of the proposed MoU. “The response (of the NSCN-K) would depend on the response of the Aos”, Mulatonu who is also a member of the Ceasefire supervisory Board said.
Meanwhile the NSCN (K) has squarely held the Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio responsible for the August 24, 2003 Mokokchung incident, which according to the organization was due to the failure and retraction of the promises he made to the NSCN (K) when he met them on October 28, 2002 before the elections.
According to the Mulatonu, the Chief Minister along with four of his colleagues from the NPF had met central NSCN (K) functionaries on October 28, 2002 in Mokokchung.
Apart from other senior leaders of the NSCN (K) Mulatonu himself was also present at the meeting, the Kilonser said adding that if clarification and names of the leaders who attended there be presented he said he would be happy to do so but only after response from the concerned parties.
At the meeting Rio allegedly assured them that if elected to power he would discourage and stop the signing of any agreement between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India before unification of the Nagas.
“However, (for political expediency and ulterior motives) and failing to keep the promises he manipulated the Ao community. Then manipulating the NSCN (IM) threatened the Aos”, Mulatonu said adding that the NSCN (K) has no enmity with the Aos, then or now.
On the issue of integration of the Nagas the outfit maintained that the Chief Minister was toeing the issue as interpreted by Th. Muivah, General Secretary, NSCN (IM).
He maintained that the issue was isolating other Nagas. “Th. Muivah is interested only in unifying Senapati and Ukhrul; this is another form of distorting Naga History. He has forgotten his godfathers/ mentors SS Khaplang and General Kholi” Mulatonu said adding that extension of ceasefire was meaningless since the NSCN (IM) cannot lead the Naga people who had been played with for eight years.
