Senior functionary of the GPRN/NSCN and kilonser in-charge of NGOs and Public Relations, Akato Chophi resigned from his post and as an active member of the GPRN/NSCN.
Talking to media persons on Sunday, Akato said he decided to resign from GPRN/NSCN due to “personal reasons”. The resignation letter has been dispatched to GPRN/NSCN ato kilonser, N. Kitovi Zhimomi, Akato informed.
Asked if he would be joining any other group, Akato said he has no plans to join other Naga national political groups as of now. He however said: “If my service is needed in future I will surely continue to work for Naga nation.”
When asked whether there was any kind of internal differences which prompted him to resign, Akato replied in negative and maintained that his resignation would not have any impact on the group. “The government has enough intellectuals, hardworking and educated people to run it,” he said.
“Everyone, be it public or Naga national workers, in their own way, have contributed and have been contributing in nation building. So even after resigning I will render my service in my own way,” Akato added.
Akato further said that since all the arms and ammunition belonged to him, he would be keeping them as “souvenirs”.
He hoped that the Indian armed forces would understand and allow him to keep the arms saying– “I deserve it to keep it as a souvenir as I have worked for Naga national movement for 20 odd years”.
It may be mentioned that Akato Chophi was one of the main architect to form the Unification group in 2007 along with other members from the NSCN (I-M) and NSCN (K). On November 22, 2007 Akato along with 18 cadres reached Hovishe village, under Nuiland sub-division to form Unification.
The resignation of Akato, is seen as a setback for GPRN/NSCN since the group has been spearheading the newly formed Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) Working Group consisting of GPRN/NSCN, FGN, NNC (parent body), NPGN/NNC (NA), NSCN (R) and NNC/GDRN (NA). The Working Group led by GPRN/NSCN ato kilonser, N. Kitovi Zhimomi as convenor, was formed with the hope to start a formal dialogue with government of India.