Kitovi orchestrated Khehoyi siege — Neokpao Konyak

• DIMAPUR — The president of GPRN/NSCN (Unification), Gen. (Rtd) MB Neokpao Konyak, has said that the group’s impeached leader N Kitovi Zhimomi orchestrated the recent coup at Khehoyi camp.
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• In a press statement issued on Monday, Neokpao maintained that GPRN/NSCN (Unification), under his leadership, has consistently endeavoured to achieve reconciliation among Nagas.
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• “N Kitovi Zhimomi should have recognised the reality that reconciliation cannot be achieved under the barrel of the gun or through dictated terms under duress. It is now an open book for everyone that his clamour for reconciliation is insincere and deceptive, and GPRN/NSCN (Unification) will no longer be subjected to his falsehoods.
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• “N Kitovi himself had orchestrated and executed the plot by dispatching his deputy, Kiyehe Yeptho, to seize control of the Ceasefire Designated Camp, Khehoyi, in collusion with my GSO-1 Brig. Kiyeto Zhimomi. At that time, most of my senior Army Officers, including the Army Chief Gen. Samson Aye, had left the camp on 21st March evening, after week-long engagement of the Naga Republic Day celebration,” the statement read.
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• Neokpao questioned the “necessity of snatching away the weapons of my two senior army officers, Maj. Gen. Phanlong Konyak and Maj. Gen. Shamlao Konyak, by the intruders” if Kitovi’s call for reconciliation was “sincere and genuine.”
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• “Moreover, the intruders went on looting the armoury and every valuable from the residence of almost every senior worker. I was in a traumatic condition and my personnel, having fortified my premises exercised utmost restraint. Even a spark could have ignited heavy casualties.

Also read: GPRN/NSCN (Unification) reiterates impeachment of Kitovi Zhimomi

• “If reconciliation was a genuine intention of Kitovi, why was I subjected to such humiliation, permitted to retain only two weapons while coming out for medical treatment? To avert potential armed conflict between my men and Mr. N Kitovi’s raiders, I express sincere gratitude to the WSH and WCPO leaders for their intervention,” he stated.
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• According to Neokpao, reconciliation cannot be achieved selectively, “as Mr. N Kitovi desires.”
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• “He cannot dictate terms that exclude my senior personnel and officials, including Brig. Hozheto Zhimomi, who was disarmed and expelled from the camp. All these incidents unequivocally demonstrate that this was a coup and had nothing to do with reconciliation.
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• “Kitovi should keep it well in his mind that following his impeachment and expulsion from GPRN/NSCN (Unification), his deployment of armed personnel into the designated camp constitutes an unlawful act. The siege itself is also illegal, given that Khehoyi camp under my leadership is officially recognised under the provisions of the ceasefire agreement signed by myself and Mr. C Singson, senior Kilonser, with the government of India. Mr. N Kitovi is a non-ceasefire entity, not a party to the ceasefire, and keeping the designated camp under siege contravenes all established protocols between the GOI and GPRN/NSCN (Unification),” the statement read.