While thanking GPRN/NSCN for the condolence message over the killing of three people at Lamhainamdi, Peren District Youth Organisation (PDYO) said it was however saddened that the condolence message was issued as a clarification.
Stressing that Zeliangrong people held GPRN/NSCN— referred to as NSCN (U) in the statement, under the leadership of Neokpao Konyak and N. Kitovi Zhimomi in high esteem, PDYO claimed that Zeliangrong brothers and sisters sacrificed their lives fighting for Naga cause standing with NSCN (U) and were still doing it. Thus, it said it was saddened to see the condolence message conveyed as a clarification note.
Mentioning that cautioning of Zeliang leaders by NSCN (U) not to paint the incident along tribal line was a good thought, PDYO said the Zeliangs for decades saw it as an issue between landowner and encroachers. But on that fateful day, PDYO said not only were the three brothers killed mercilessly with automatic weapons, but the assailants even left behind four red-ink written notes beside the bodies. Referring to the notes, PDYO urged GPRN/NSCN to first clarify who committed the gruesome murder along tribal lines.
Further, PDYO said the statement that Zeliang leaders were playing faction angle was something really uncalled for. It said that the ground reality spoke volumes about involvement of a section of the cadres in the issue. PDYO also alleged that “a high-ranking NSCN(U) leader with police escort vehicle and a convoy of eight vehicles abducted three innocent Lamhainamdi villagers on March 2 and were kept at Kehoi camp for 12 days on the pretext of stealing teak trees,” only to be released after the intervention of governor. It mentioned that a summon letter was also issued to Zeliang Baudi president under the seal and signature of camp commander, council headquarters, Naga Army, GPRN/NSCN(U) on March 3.
PDYO claimed that the “abductees were verbally abused and warned never to set foot again at Lamhainamdi”, which was in the knowledge of everyone.
It also requested the NSCN(U) leadership to stop “self-serving attitude”of a particular tribe using Naga common properties.
Meanwhile, pointing out the report of a local news channel quoting a CSO leader as the source of information on the incident without even interviewing, PDYO asked the media house to stick to the ethics of journalism instead of playing into the interest of some section.
Seeking a clarification from the news channel in this regard, the youth body warned that the channel would be held solely responsible if any untoward incident happened to the CSO leader.