Hardly 24 hours after the crucial meeting between the Government of India and the NSCN (I-M) on October 24 remained inconclusive, former NSCN (I-M) kilo kilonser Hukavi Yeputhomi joined GPRN/NSCN along with 16 other colleagues, Friday in New Delhi.
GPRN/NSCN is led by MB Neokpao Konyak as president, while N. Kitovi Zhimomi, ato kilonser, is also the convenor of Working Committee (WC) of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs). Hukavi was received into GPRN/NSCN by Neokpao Konyak and Kitovi Zhimomi and welcomed into WC of NNPGs by convenor and co-convenors of WC in New Delhi.
When contacted, NSCN (I-M) senior leader confirmed to Nagaland Post that Hukavi has defected to “one of the groups”.
When asked whether Hukavi was part of the NSCN (I-M) delegation in the Naga Peace Process, the senior leader clarified that Hukavi was not a permanent member of NSCN (I-M) Talk Team. The NSCN (I-M) leader said Hukavi might have attended a few meetings in Delhi occasionally as part of delegation with most NSCN (I-M) members including women.
However, other sources informed Nagaland Post that Hukavi was part of the 15-member NSCN (I-M) delegation, that held the crucial October 24 meeting with Government of India in New Delhi. However, both NSCN (I-M) and other reliable sources denied that Hukavi was part of the 15-member delegation.
Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, RN Ravi, and the NSCN (I-M) delegation led by its chief negotiator, Th. Muivah, met on October 24, but could not resolve the issue of separate Naga flag and constitution as demanded by NSCN (I-M).
With just couple of days before the expiry of the three-month deadline, speculation is rife on whether the Government of India and NSCN (I-M) would be able to settle the Naga flag and constitution demand in the next meeting, tentatively, scheduled to be held on October 28 or October 29.
Meanwhile, the formal meeting between government of India and WC of NNPGs has been re-scheduled to next week. However, an informal meeting is likely to take place Saturday in New Delhi.
Declaration: Meanwhile, in a declaration Hukavi Yepthomi said that he along with his co-workers have decided to join the WC,NNPG on their own volition and with deep conviction at the “decisive hour for the Naga people” when an agreement was to have been inked with the government of India “without compromising on our history and identity’.
The signatories said they had made the decision after being convinced that the interest, pursuit and potential of future Naga generations must not be jeopardised by unresolved symbolic issues, when “the negotiating parties have long come to terms that sovereignty and integration were not possible at a present time”.
Therefore, the signatories said they agreed that “ unresolved contentious issues must be pursued earnestly post solution politically and democratically.”
The signatories said they agreed to join WC. NNPGs as they acknowledged that “Agreed Position” signed between the government of India and WC on November 17,2017 safeguarded rights of Nagas to self determination .
They reiterated that as the geo-political situation demanded that Nagas be pragmatic at this juncture of “our struggle,” it was crystal clear, that WC NNPG had been practical and realistic in their negotiation with the government of India.
Further, they also reposed their “utmost respect” for ‘Kedahge’ Q Tuccu and ‘Ato Kilonser’ Th. Muivah and all ‘esteemed colleagues.’
Hukavi said though he was at the negotiating table till October 24, 2019, he realised that NSCN (I-M) chief negotiator would “remain insensitive to our people’s plea for honourable and acceptable solution.” Hukavi said his decision was based on “our people’s desire for a peaceful co-existence between Nagaland and India.”
Further, the signatories said that they bore no malice against anyone and hoped that “our decision would be respected.”
Besides Hukavi, others who joined WC,NNPGs include- Atoshe Yepthomi, dy kilonser; Vikato Zhimo, dy kilonser; Hokiye Wotsa, dy kilonser; Vikato, tatar; Khehoto, tatar; Khetoshe, tatar; Khehoyi, tatar; Vishiho, dy kilonser; Khelusie Angami, tatar; Inakhu, tatar; Kahuto, tatar; Puloto, tatar; Akali, tatar; Kisheto, leacy; Aloto Ayemi, leacy and Aviketo Zhimomi, leacy.