Dimapur, September 1 (MExN):The WC, NNPGs under Convener N Kitovi Zhimomi has termed the summon orders issued against General (Retd) Niki Sümi, his wife Shelly Sümi and relatives by the Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at Cheirap Court Complex, Imphal West, as unacceptable and a deliberate attempt to criminalize the Naga political issue. The summons are scheduled for September 26, 2025.
In a statement issued by the Media Cell of WC, NNPGs, the committee said, “It is wrong to enforce Indian judiciary system and jurisprudence against the Naga revolutionary leaders when political deliberations are on for a possible solution. It is very unfortunate. A grim reminder that the GoI has no political will to solve the decades old Indo-Naga issue.”
The WC, NNPGs alleged that “there are numbers of anti-Naga elements working at the behest of Indian agencies, demeaning, pushing hard to distort historical facts and erase Naga history. Their identities are on the table however, this is a time to find solution to Indo-Naga issue, not go after individuals propagating Anti-Naga agendas.”
The committee further maintained that despite differences among the groups, “Nagas are related by blood, land and common desire to resolve the issue.” It added that while the WC, NNPGs and the Government of India (GoI) are two separate entities, “both have agreed to resolve the Indo-Naga political conflict through honourable, acceptable and an inclusive solution. Although not a negotiating entity Gen. Niki Sümi is an important stakeholder.”
Reiterating that “defending Naga history and identity is every Nagas' birthright,” the WC, NNPGs recalled that the pioneering Naga political leaders did not require any external consent when they wrote to the British Simon Commission on January 10, 1929, to be left alone in their own genius, nor when Naga Independence was declared on August 14, 1947, or when the Naga plebiscite was conducted on May 16, 1951.
The committee stated that with awareness of these political values, the GoI invited the WC, NNPGs to New Delhi and signed the Agreed Position on November 17, 2017, after which negotiations continued for two years, successfully concluding on October 31, 2019.
Quoting from the “Status Paper,” the committee highlighted Sl. 15 under “Ending All Hostilities,” which stated: “All criminal and other proceedings initiated against Naga Revolutionary Cadres, political and civil society members, religious institutions and public servants whatsoever in connection with the Naga Revolutionary Freedom Movement shall be quashed/withdrawn...”
“The GoI has acknowledged Naga history and identity and Nagas too have acknowledged the contemporary political realities and while both have negotiated for an enduring, harmonious peaceful coexistence, the WC, NNPG Convener, N. Kitovi Zhimomi and all Co-Conveners believe it is not in the interest of the GoI nor the Nagas, to summon Naga revolutionary leaders at this hour,” the statement added.
