WC-NNPG term PMLA summons to Niki Sümi ‘unacceptable’

DIMAPUR — The Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG), led by its convener N Kitovi Zhimomi,  has condemned the summons issued by a Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to Gen. (Retd.) Niki Sümi, his wife, and relatives.

The committee issued a press release on Monday terming the summons “a deliberate criminalisation of the Naga political issue.”

According to the summons, Gen. Sümi and his family have been directed to appear before the Special Court at Cheirap Court Complex in Imphal West on September 26.

The WC-NNPG described the move as an attempt to enforce Indian judicial system upon Naga revolutionary leaders at a time when political negotiations are underway for a solution to the Indo-Naga conflict.

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“It is very unfortunate. A grim reminder that the GoI has no political will to solve the decades old Indo-Naga issue. 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,” the statement read.

The committee reiterated that while there may be differences among Naga groups, all Nagas are bound by blood, land, and the common desire for resolution.

It asserted that although Gen. Sümi is not part of the negotiating entity, he remains an important stakeholder in the process.

Recalling milestones of Naga political history, including the 1929 memorandum to the Simon Commission, the 1947 declaration of Naga independence, and the 1951 plebiscite, the committee asserted that defending Naga identity is the birthright of every Naga.

It further reminded the Centre of the “Agreed Position” signed between WC-NPG and the government of India on November 17, 2017, and the successful conclusion of political negotiations on October 31, 2019.

Citing the Status Paper clause on “ending all hostilities,” the WC-NNPG noted that the government had agreed to withdraw all criminal and related proceedings against “Naga revolutionary cadres, political and civil society members, religious institutions and public servants whatsoever in connection with the Naga revolutionary freedom movement.”

The committee cautioned that issuing summons against leaders like Gen. Sümi at this juncture was neither in the interest of the government of India nor the Nagas.