Neopkao is WC-NNPG new convener; says Kitovi rejected adviso
Neopkao is WC-NNPG new convener; says Kitovi rejected advisor’s role
The president of GPRN/NSCN, Gen. (Rtd.) MB Neopkao, was appointed as the new convener of the Working Committee of NNPG—along with working conveners Ato Kilonser P Tikhak and Ato Kilonser Col. (Rtd.) Isak Sumi
Isak Sumi (centre), Alezo Venuh (1st from right), Wangtin
Naga (2nd from left), MB Neopkao (1st from left), and Tikhak Naga during a
press conference on Saturday in Dimapur.
DIMAPUR — The
president of GPRN/NSCN, Gen. (Rtd.) MB Neopkao, was appointed as the new
convener of the Working Committee of NNPG—along with working conveners Ato
Kilonser P Tikhak and Ato Kilonser Col. (Rtd.) Isak Sumi—here on Saturday at
Hotel Saramati, Dimapur.
While addressing the gathering at the installation ceremony,
Neopkao pledged to lead with courage and perseverance. Acknowledging the
existence of numerous factions today, he expressed disappointment and
reiterated his commitment to the Naga cause, having served for 51 years in the
Naga movement.
Calling for unity, he urged the NGOs to stand together in
support of the Naga political groups.
Tikhak reflected that Nagas are at a crossroads today “but
they must know that they alone can help themselves and they should not expect
others to come to their rescue.” He stressed the importance of retrospection
and adopting corrective measures.
According to him, differences among the Nagas have taken a
huge toll on the people, irrespective of clan, tribe, and area, especially the
Nagas in eastern, southern, and northern belts.
Acknowledging the impact of the Forum for Naga
Reconciliation in reducing violence among the Nagas, Tikhak, however, reminded
that ‘there are not many changes in the suffering of the people.’ He said that
the time has come for Nagas to bring an end to these sufferings.
Fellow working convener Isak maintained that the position of
leadership is an opportunity to serve the people. While suggesting that the
answer to the Naga quest “might be right in front of us,” he said that Nagas
have been missing the opportunity due to their focusing on individual gain
only.
While interacting with the media later, Tikhak revealed that
they had offered N Kitovi Zhimomi the position of advisor to WC-NNPG even after
he was impeached by his group. He pointed out that the committee had not
appointed a new convenor till Saturday because they felt that Kitovi could
still guide them as an advisor.
He acknowledged that Agreed Position was signed by the NNPG
under the leadership of Kitovi.
Neopkao further reiterated that they will never allow
fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border.
On the same issue, Isak pointed out that the Agreed Position
provides for an extension of the Free Movement Regime “beyond 36 kilometres”
from its previous limit of 16 kilometres. Therefore, he said, their main
concern is bringing to fruition the Agreed Position so that the border fencing
issue also can be resolved.
He further maintained that they did not form a new working
committee—insisting that it was not even a restructuring exercise, but a mere
‘continuation’ of a process.
When asked about the existence of more than 25 NPGs, Isak
acknowledged that not every group may be genuinely working for the Nagas.
He added that even though people are disappointed and
frustrated, they still should take it ‘in a very sensible, sensitive manner.’
They should start exposing the lies and deception and try to
identify the genuine political groups who are really committed to resolving the
Naga issue, he added.
Ato Kilonser of GPRN/NSCN and co-convener WC-NNPG, Alezo
Venuh, said that at this point in time, ‘solution is not going to be 100%
sovereignty, and it is loud and clear.’
On this note, he said, the working committee has met with
the state government many times and shared the roadmap, “the status factor,
which is supposed to be agreed upon.” Therefore, he asserted, the government of
Nagaland is well aware of it.
