Dimapur, December 18 (MExN): The Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) has issued a clarification stating that media reports of the Akato Chophy led NSCN/GPRN group merging with the NNPGs “is premature and untrue.”
“Although he has expressed unconditional support to Agreed Position and Status Papers of NNPGs, seeking acceptance into the fold, the decision has not been taken. WC entities will decide. Therefore, the claim of Akato's group merging with NNPGs, as reported in the media, is premature and untrue,” it said in a statement issued through its Media Cell on Sunday.
In the statement, it recounted Chophy’s role as the Vice President of the NSCN (Reformation) and as an integral part of WC, NNPGs till recently.
According to the statement, there was ‘a small domestic issue’ within NSCN (R) which was amicably resolved in a sitting with its President Y Wangtin Naga and General Secretary P Tikhak, ably assisted by WC Convener and Co-conveners. “However, before the ink dried on the document, Akato Chophy, on his own volition, declared his departure from NSCN(R) on November 19, 21, issuing negative press statements against WC,NNPGs,” it maintained.
It also said that while the WC, NNPGs, in principle and practically, is an open platform for all Naga political groups, certain political decorum and ethical conducts as individuals and leaders are necessary to ensure WC is strengthened and not weakened. And Chophy's exit “was his own making and his re-entry into WC will require absolute unanimity among WC leaders, which has not happened.”
The statement further explained that the WC, NNPGs is a conglomerate of seven Naga Political groups, each maintaining own political, administrative and military structure and follows independent policy. Its existence is based solely on equality and transparency on all matters. The issues of moral integrity, ethical values, political vision, and commitment to common cause are the forging ingredients in the WC, it said while adding that the common principle is mutual respect, transparency and inclusiveness of entities towards fulfilling the Naga political aspiration.
In consonance with WC, NNPGs standing principle, every decision of WC will be a collective affair through sincere and pragmatic approach, that which will strengthen the core values and build greater trust among the WC leaders, it said.
“As it is, the Agreed Position and the Status Papers are official properties of both the Naga people and the Government of India. None should defile it,” it added.
