A stunning piece of political gambit and military manoeuvre engineered by the ‘impeached’ leader of GPRN/NSCN, N Kitovi Zhimomi, on Saturday morning saw him (re)gain control of his old turf—Naga Unification Camp in Khehoyi
As Kitovi reclaims Khehoyi camp, Nagas call for restraint
from acts of violence
DIMAPUR — A stunning piece of political gambit
and military manoeuvre engineered by the ‘impeached’ leader of GPRN/NSCN, N
Kitovi Zhimomi, on Saturday morning saw him (re)gain control of his old
turf—Naga Unification Camp in Khehoyi.
According to sources, the recoup was a silent and bloodless
exercise. Official sources were tight-lipped over the latest development. Calls
made to leaders of GPRN/NSCN—on both sides of the divide—went unanswered.
It was learnt that during the takeover of the camp on
Saturday, the president of GPRN/NSCN (U), Gen. (Retd), MB Neokpao Konyak, was
the only top leader present.
The other senior leaders of GPRN/NSCN (U), including Alezo
Venuh, were not inside the camp. No further details were disclosed due to the sensitivity
of the issue.
The development, meanwhile, triggered calls from various
Naga bodies/parties to exercise restraint and desist from resorting to violent
means of retaliation.
In order to maintain peace and tranquillity, the Ato Area
GB’s Association issued a statement urging to refrain from arm conflict within
its area.
“Such actions pose a serve threat to public safety and will
not tolerated,” it warned.
The GB association made it clear that the “party engaging in
the first firing will not be allowed to be stationed within the Ato Area
jurisdiction.”
Naturally, the impacts of Saturday’s event were felt across
the state’s political landscape too.
The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) issued
an appeal to both the groups—led by N Kitovi Zhimomi and Alezo Venuh,
respectively—to ensure that no violence erupts, which will affect the
hard-earned peace achieved over the last few years through the efforts of all
stakeholders and the Naga National political parties.
“At a time when the people of the state are looking forward
to the much-awaited final settlement of the Indo-Naga political issue, any
unwarranted violence could affect the final outcome of the talks. The Naga
people stand with the Naga national political parties in our endeavour to
achieve our common goal of finding a permanent settlement. It is therefore
imperative that everyone must exercise the maximum restraint lest the hard
earned work is derailed.
“While violence has no place in our pursuit of peace,
dialogue and deliberations are the way forward. Therefore, the NDPP while
appealing for peace to be maintained also further appeals to both the groups to
put aside their differences and come together in the greater interest of the
bigger goal we are trying to achieve,” the statement read.
It appealed to all sections of Naga society to continue to
pray for lasting peace in the land.
In a similar note, the President of Nagaland BJP unit,
Benjamin Yepthomi, also issued an appeal—urging both the parties to exercise
utmost restraint and refrain from any further acts of violence.
Stating the people of Nagaland have endured enough
suffering, he maintained that it is imperative for the differing factions to
resolve their differences through dialogue and mutual understanding rather than
use of force.
He urged all the leaders concerned and members to prioritise
peaceful negotiation and uphold the spirit of brotherhood that binds them as
Nagas—adding that the future of the Naga people depends on their ability to
resolve conflicts with wisdom and patience.
