PHEK, DECEMBER 22 (MExN):The Phek Town Youth Society (PTYS) and Phek Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PCCI) have issued a clarification on the December 15 incident reportedly involving NSCN-K cadres. The two organisations in a press release stated that two NSCN-K cadres, namely – Neile Vero and Nipaka Awomi - were apprehended for allegedly extorting from businesses at Phek town and in the recent case for intimidating one businessman. Terming Neile Vero as a “regular offender,” the release stated that he was also apprehended by the Phek town public in a kidnapping case dating to June 2012.
Clarifying in regard to the December 15 incident, the two organisations maintained “The NGO’s never intended to handover the culprit to the paramilitary.” As per the release, the intention was to hand over the duo to the police but the “paramilitary” took them away. Stating that the incident was not an act against the NSCN-K or any other Naga Political Groups, it made clear that the two NGOs are only against “anti social elements.” While appealing not to misunderstand the action taken by the NGOs, it asked the NSCN-K to open up on the act of Neile Vero and initiate necessary action against him.
In a separate release, the Phek town civil society has demanded Neile Vero’s termination from “active national service.” In a joint representation to the chairman of the Chakhesang Region, NSCN-K, 9 organisations of Phek town stated that Vero, “who is understood to be under suspension currently,” was “caught red-handed in the kidnapping case of a businessman at Phek Town on June 3, 2012.” Terming acts of kidnapping, threats and extortion as unbecoming on the part of a person, “who claims himself as a National Worker,” the organisations demanded that Vero be terminated from “Nationa Service” and that the action taken against him be intimated to the public officially. The representation was appended by the presidents of PTYS, PCCI, Taxi Union Phek Town, Phek Town Chakhesang Students Union, Phek Area Mothers Association, Truck Union Phek Town, Phek Town Public Welfare Committee, GB Union Phek Town and Phek Town Colony Chairman Forum.
