Kohima: Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislature party leader Kuzholuzo Nienu has raised concerns over a series of alarming events in the state of Nagaland over the recent months.
“Several unexpected and alarming events and incidents which have occurred in the past few months are matters of grave concern and a wake call to the government of the day, needing serious considerations as they may have far reaching consequences,” Nienu said in a statement on Friday.
One of the significant events he pointed out is the impeachment of Kitovi Zhimomi as the Ato Kilonser of the NSCN-U which took place during an extraordinary emergency National Assembly meeting at the GPRN/NSCN’s designated camp in Khehoi on April 21.
He said that Kitovi, a prominent figure in the ongoing peace talks with the Indian government, played a key role in the signing of the ‘Agreed Position’ in November 2017 as the Convener of the Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs).
Nienu also highlighted that NSCN (IM)’s declaration of Lieutenant General (Retd.) Hs. Ramsan and Lieutenant General Absalom Raman as anti-nationals, terminating their positions in the party and national service on July 18 reflect deep internal conflicts within the political groups.
“The ceasefire agreements between the GoI and the various Naga Political Groups have resulted in mushrooming of factions and rise rampant extortion, multiple taxation, intimidation and summons of the business establishments by the groups and even anti social elements,” he said.
The killing of Abdul Kayum Talukdar, Gaon Bura (GB) of New Market, on June 7, he observed, was a shocking incident. Talukdar was shot near an ATM booth in Signal Bosti, Dimapur, by unidentified assailants and later succumbed to his injuries.
In another disturbing incident, he said that two employees of a company engaged in road construction were abducted from their base camp in Peren District on June 28, by six armed men reportedly from the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF). On July 18, 2024, another shooting occurred in NST Colony, Dimapur, where an employee of Ankit Transport was attacked by armed miscreants.
“The government and law enforcing agencies have failed to rein in the menace of illegal taxation. On top of this some associations were involved in collecting money from the business community on the pretext of running their offices. This has led to shut down of business establishments and markets on various occasions which have caused sufferings and great inconveniences to the general public,” he said.
The NSCN (I-M) issued a warning to Arambai Tengol, a Manipur-based Meitei organization, on July 22, condemning the treatment of Christians and labeling the group’s violent extremism as a threat to peace. This was followed by a powerful bomb explosion near the Indo-Myanmar border on July 24, suspected to be the work of the Kuki National Army (Burma), which claimed the life of a senior NSCN (IM) functionary, Major Huseya Assumi, and injured two others. “These two incidents are among the many stray incidents which may shape and determine future course of Naga relations with our neighbours, the Meitis and the Kukis,” he said.
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“Such disturbing trends may have far reaching consequences even leading to total social unrest and uncertainty, posing as a challenge to the rule of law. Situations may worsen and only intensify if left unchecked. It is important that we pay attention to the signs that portent the rise of violence and take appropriate steps. In the face of uncertainty, it is crucial that we stay well informed, vigilant and be prepared for any eventuality or we will succumb to the disruptive forces that threaten to consume us. As we grapple with the uncertainties, we ought to take proactive steps to mitigate the dangers and ensure our collective resilience in the face of adversity,” he concluded.
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