Kohima: In protest against ongoing violence, extortion, and violation of the Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR), the National Highway Area Village Councils Forum (NHAVCF), comprising 13 villages along the 4-lane National Highway-29, has called for a 6-hour shutters down protest on June 11, 2025, from 6:00 AM to 12 Noon.
The Forum cited the May 23 incident at Unity Village, described as a “dastardly act”, wherein several perpetrators, though identified and named in an FIR filed by the Unity Village Council, remain at large.
This development comes in the wake of a “raid” conducted by the Vice President of NSCN/GPRN (Khango) on the residence the Finance Kilonser of the NSCN/GPRN (R) on May 23.
In a statement issued by Convenor Sebastian Zumvu, the Forum expressed grave concern over the repeated violations of the Ceasefire Ground Rules by multiple underground factions despite their agreements with the Government of India.
It also alleged that designated ceasefire monitoring offices have become “safe havens” for criminals, while law enforcement agencies remain ineffective due to restrictions that prevent them from entering these locations.
The statement further highlighted the plight of the general Naga public, pointing to continued illegal taxation by armed groups, abduction and torture of civilians, and a growing climate of fear and lawlessness.
The forum also criticised the Government of India’s continued “deafening silence” on the Naga political issue even after peace talks reportedly concluded on October 31, 2019. It said that the protest is scheduled to express their resentment, anguish, and unhappiness.
To mark the protest, black flags will be displayed in front of all shops and business establishments in the affected area. The Forum has also appealed to all like-minded villages, business bodies, and urban local bodies across Nagaland to observe the shutters down in solidarity.
A joint press conference of member-village representatives is also scheduled be held on June 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Sovima Village Council Hall.
Unity Village had earlier described the incident as a “reckless and unlawful act of gunfire” that has created a tense and hostile environment, endangering the safety and security of its residents.
The village noted that such disturbing incidents of armed violence and repeated gunfire have increasingly disrupted public peace and harmony, posing a serious threat to law and order within the area.
The village council had also resolved not to allow any faction to set up ‘designated camp’ within the territorial Jurisdiction of the Unity Village.
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