Khehoyi camp siege an ‘orchestrated’ and not genuine
reconciliation effort
(L-R) C Singson, Alezo Venuh, Huvito Yepthomi, and Aheto
Chophy during the press conference on Tuesday. (EM Images)
DIMAPUR — The GPRN/NSCN (Unification)
leadership has asserted that the group remains intact despite the recent
seizure of its Khehoyi designated camp by ousted leader, N Kitovi Zhimomi and
his supporters last month.
Following an emergency joint council meeting held on Tuesday
in Dimapur, top leaders, including Ato Kilonser Alezo Venuh and Kilo Kilonser
Huvito Yepthomi, reviewed the March 22 incident, describing it as an
“orchestrated” move rather than a genuine reconciliation effort.
Alezo Venuh clarified that the group’s structure remains
solid, with President Gen. (Retd.) MB Neokpao Konyak, kilonsers, army units,
and regional commanders still loyal. “Barring a handful of army personnel and
civil officers, the government is fully intact,” he asserted.
Venuh accused Brig. Kiyeto Zhimomi, a former confidante, of
collaborating with Kitovi to stage the camp takeover under the guise of
reconciliation, stating that the government has “clear proof and evidence” that
all this was orchestrated at Kitovi’s residence by the former.
He also raised concerns over the reportedly removal of
weapons from the camp. They raided the armoury and the residences of senior officials,
removing weapons from the camp. It is not safe to keep arms and ammunition in
the public domain, he added.
He went on to allege that Kitovi publicly framed the
incident as an attempt to unify the faction, claiming he was unaware of the
forceful takeover. However, GPRN/NSCN (U) leaders rejected this explanation.
Kilo Kilonser Huvito Yepthomi recounted how the camp was
taken over while most leaders were away after the Naga Republic Day
celebrations. They entered under the pretext of reconciliation but immediately
began confiscating weapons, he said, adding that if their intentions were
genuine, they would have followed proper channels.
“Maybe those who came went against orders, we don’t know.
But if it had truly been for reconciliation, these things should not have
happened,” he added, referring to the seizure of arms.
Following the takeover, he said that leaders briefly
considered confronting the faction at the camp. But with the realisation that
doing so would lead to bloodshed, they asked the president to leave on medical
ground and convened Tuesday’s meeting with over 300 attendees, Yepthomi said.
Lt. Gen. Aheto Chophy, Deputy Commander-in-Chief, went
further, alleging that Kitovi’s move was motivated by vengeance following his
ouster as Ato Kilonser in April 2024. He also accused Kitovi of bribing certain
personnel to facilitate the takeover.
He claimed that about 60-70 weapons were looted from the
armoury and 17 more from sentries on security duty.
Despite this, Alezo Venuh said that the GPRN/NSCN (U)
continue to stand “for reconciliation and for the interest of the Naga future,”
and that it would “go the extra mile.”
He also maintained that the Khehoyi camp remains rightfully
under GPRN/NSCN (U) and is currently “illegally occupied.” While there are many
ways and means to sort out things in order to take the camp back, we do not
want to take a path that would be detrimental to peace, he added.
Meanwhile, Kilonser C Singson reflected on the broader
implications of the takeover, highlighting past efforts to curb Naga bloodshed
through the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).
Rejecting the notion that the camp’s capture signified a
victory for Kitovi’s faction, he said, “If we regard the takers of Khehoyi as
winners, I think that is ‘cheap politics.’”
He urged civil society and tribal organisations to play a
stronger role in the reconciliation process. “Just because Kitovi took Khehoyi
does not mean the end of the GPRN/NSCN. We will still function as a
government.”
Singson went on to caution that internal power struggles
would not serve the larger interest of the people. “Only when peace comes can
we achieve what we want. If we continue thinking in terms of supremacy—that
only ‘I’ or ‘we’ can do it—it will not help.”
He called on faction leaders to heed the people’s desire for
peace. “The people want peace. Faction leaders should realise this and come out
with a positive response… we all need to come together,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the ceasefire agreement, Alezo
reaffirmed that the nomenclature of GPRN/NSCN (Unification) remains with their
faction. “No contest on the nomenclature. It is clearly ours,” he said.
He also clarified that the group’s ceasefire agreement with
the Indian government, signed in 2012 under Neokpao’s leadership, remains valid.
“The ceasefire is not attached to some camp, hill or any
location. It was signed with the GPRN/NSCN (U) under the leadership of
Neokpao,” he said, adding that the ceasefire is scheduled for review on April
28.
On the outcome of the meeting, it was informed that the
house, comprising all MCL, ACL, NPAC, council of kilonsers, tatars, HoDs, Naga
Army, and 22 regions and sub-regions, unanimously resolved to stand by the
leadership of Neokpao Konyak and Alezo Venuh. The house also endorsed the
Collective Leadership to carry forward the Naga peace process till its logical
conclusion.
