Dimapur, February 4 (MExN): Taking exception to what it termed as “unceremonious media utterances” by a group of Western Sumi GBs, the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) on Friday said that it was time for Nagas to create an atmosphere of peace.
In a statement issued through its Media Cell, the WC, NNPGs criticised the “group of Western Sumi GBs” who it said, were destroying the good image of Western Sumi customary institution by expressing ‘unfounded’ fears of factional clashes emerging in Nagaland. “The recent irrational media interviews and press statements have shocked all Naga tribes who have worked with and trusted the judgements and decisions of earlier WSKH pioneers,” it added.
The matter pertains to televised interviews and press statements given by a former WSKH President Vihuto Yeputhomi and his secretary on January 24, who reportedly “expressed fear of factional clashes and bloodbath.”
“If it is so, they must mention clearly which group and which leader is preparing for factional clashes again. Is he enrolled already and mentoring anti-social elements to disturb peaceful atmosphere in Nagaland?” the WC NNPGs statement read. It also questioned why the Naga public must fear the return of factional battles when all Naga tribes, the church and civil societies have worked so hard for reconciliation and unity among Naga political groups, and the Nagas are inching closer to an acceptable and honourable Indo-Naga settlement.
Further, it alleged that the former WSKH President and some of his colleagues, as per their TV interview, “have played a key role in Akato Chophy's exit from NSCN (Reformation) and also from the NNPG fold,” and claimed that “By their own admission,” they had advised Chophy to form a new faction. In this regard, it questioned if they had sought the approval of all Western Sümi villages and if it was the desire of all Western Sumi GBs, the Sumi people and Naga tribes as a whole, to take such a decision.
Meanwhile, the WC,NNPGs also took a jibe at Akato Chophy, who it said, “had been an integral part of WC, NNPGs, and knows full well the Agreed Position signed on November 17, 2017 which clearly entrenched the future relationship between Government of India and Nagas.” It said that despite the GoI and WC, NNPGs talks entering a critical stage and with all Naga tribes, elected members, GBs, churches and apex civil societies, having understood the status paper of the political talks; Akato Chophy had made it clear that he was “working hard to sabotage honourable political settlement,” and that his “personal ambition is more important than the common good of the Nagas.” It is for this reason that Chophy has employed men “to talk about possible bloodshed in Nagaland. The question is, against whom will they commit bloodbath?” it added.
Further, the WC, NNPGs reminded that in 2016, spearheaded by Naga Tribes (NTC, ENPO, CNTC) the NGBF, Churches, peace mediators, concerned intellectuals, legislators and senior citizens, and all proactive civil societies, the leaders of different Naga armed groups met and agreed to establish the WC, NNPGs. It was reaffirmed that factional clashes and killings among Nagas must not reoccur and that Indo-Naga political issue must be settled in consultation with the ‘real stakeholders’—the Naga tribes and Naga people.
Thus, the Government of India began sending feelers and later officially invited the WC, NNPGs to start the political negotiations, it added. The WC, NNPGs and the GoI have concluded political negotiations as on October 31, 2019, it said, adding that the seven Naga political group who were “erstwhile sworn enemies, came together because the voice of the Naga people supersedes factions and groups.”
“After two years and more than seventy rounds of GoI/NNPGs negotiations, the status paper has been handed over to Naga tribes and apex tribal bodies. This is the time for Nagas to create an atmosphere of peace and not conflict,” it asserted.
