Konyak civil society organisations (CSOs) including Konyak Union (KU), Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK) and Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) and the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) have separately condemned the killing of late Temzei Konyak, Konyak Region chairman of Akato-led NSCN, allegedly in the custody of NSCN (I-M) at Tizit on July 31.
In a joint statement, KU president Tingthok Konyak, KNSK president Ponglem Konyak and KSU president T Noklem Konyak asserted that irrespective of the case, no individual or group had any right to take the life of another.
Konyak CSOs said that even prisoners of war were entitled to humane treatment and not subjected to custodial death. “This is a cold-blooded murder and goes beyond the ethics and ethos of humanity in a civilized society,” the signatories said.
Konyak CSOs have asked the NSCN (I-M) to take responsibility for “this heinous crime and ensure that the higher ups initiate fair investigation”. They demanded that befitting justice be served at the earliest against the cadres involved in the custodial death of late Temzei Konyak.
Further, the signatories said that NSCN (I-M) has also violated the December 18, 2007 resolution of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) that “vowed to maintain a bloodshed-free region.”
Konyak CSOs expressed dismay that the incident was in total disregard to the sacred resolution of the ENPO, adding they always advocated and campaigned for peace and harmony in the Konyak region.
“What happened at Tizit is a total violation of the advocacy of the Konyak CSO and the ENPO,” Konyak CSO said and cautioned that “such dastard and inhumane acts” would not be tolerated on Konyak soil. Therefore, Konyak CSOs have urged all responsible parties to uphold the values of humanity and work towards maintaining peace and harmony in the region. “We must collectively strive to ensure justice is served, and that such tragic incidents are not repeated in future,” they said.
Meanwhile, the CSOs have expressed deep pain and grief at “this cold-blooded custodial death” of late Temzei Konyak and extended sympathies to the bereaved family.
WSH: Vehemently condemning the killing of a member belonging to NSCN (Akato) and abduction of three other members at Lapalampong village under Tizit area allegedly by NSCN(I-M), the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) stated that the culture of violence and factional killing have caused immense loss and hindered the prospect of peace, stability, and aspirations of the Nagas for early settlement.
WSH through its media cell expressed dismay that such incident was being witnessed at a time when the Nagas have been aspiring for early solution and settlement to the Naga political issue.
WSH also stated that the NSCN(I-M), which has been one of the prominent stakeholders for bringing about an early solution, had been involved in the recent incident of factional killing under Tizit area.
“Such an incident undermines the progress made in the peace negotiations and early settlement to the Naga political issue which has been a long-cherished dream of every Naga,” WSH stated.
The hoho asked the NSCN(I-M) to also note that the path to lasting peace and prosperity lies in dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation and not by engaging in factional clashes.
Meanwhile, WSH has asked all Naga political groups that it would not tolerate any form of factional clashes or killing within its jurisdiction. The hoho cautioned that any groups found to have been involved in any forms of factional clashes or killings in defiance to its clarion call the WSH would not hesitate to issue non-cooperation against any NPG involved, adding that it would not allow the group involved to operate its camps within the WSH jurisdiction.
FNR: Forum for Naga Reconciliation has expressed concern and pain at the reported abduction of four members of Akato-led NSCN and subsequent death of a deputy kilonser while in the custody of NSCN (I-M) in Tizit on July 31.
Even as details were still emerging, FNR expressed deep sadness over the incident and strongly appealed to all responsible to cease all forms of violence with immediate resolve.
FNR reminded that just four days ago, Naga apex organizations and the Church made the urgent call in the light of the present happenings in neighbouring States that “Nagas resolve to abstain from succumbing to hatred and innuendos of any kind. We will remain clear and free of violence, be it through written words, mythmaking, propagating falsehoods, discriminating against specific people groups, or the causing of physical harm.”
Accordingly, FNR has appealed to all NPGs and the Naga citizens to shun all forms of violence with immediate effect. FNR also called upon all not to expose one’s weakness by any orders of justification and rationalization, adding that Nagas have become immune to such tactics.
Calling for showing “our strength by admitting our finitude”, the FNR hoped that all responsible to follow suit in order to move ahead.
Stating that Nagas must listen to each other and practice the art of camaraderie, FNR said it had on many occasions reminded the NPGs to honour the Covenant of Reconciliationm (CoR) of June 13, 2009. FNR reminded that CoR was affirmed by NNPGs and NSCN (I-M) on September 14, 2022, and followed by support given by the Naga apex organizations and the Church on October 8, 2022, with a high definition of “in letter and in spirit.”