No entity is above the law, says BAN
Business Association of Nagas (BAN) and Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO), in separate press statements, have come down hard against the “death penalty/capital punishment” served on K. Rulho, a contractor and proprietor of M/s KKB Rülho, by NSCN/GPRN-K (Khango) and subsequent warning issued to AYO for coming in defence of Rulho.
Both the organisations also questioned the silence of the state government, particularly the Ceasefire Monitoring Group/Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFMG/CFSB) for its silence on the issue and failure to enforce ceasefire ground rules.
Condemning the recent threat issued by NSCN/GPRN (Khango) to the proprietor of KKB, Rulho, BAN president L Mongkum Jamir, vice-president (international) Dr Yan Murry and grievance cell committee member Maj (Retd) Vikuto Assumi asserted that such actions were wholly unacceptable in a civilized society and merit serious scrutiny.
They demanded that the group responsible for issuance of capital punishment to Rulho withdraw the pronouncement, and rather take a new positive path in promoting Naga businessmen and entrepreneurs as fellow partners and citizens in fighting for the Naga cause. BAN stressed that the accountability of all organisations, including NSCN/GPRN (Khango), must be addressed with the same rigor applied to government activities, stating that it was imperative that group provided a comprehensive account of its actions over the years.
Just as the government was accountable to the people, BAN insisted that so too must every organisation be held to the same standard, asserting that no entity was above the law, and transparency was essential for public trust and welfare.
Despite verbal assurances from successive governments, BAN lamented that tangible action remained scarce, while the state’s potential remains untapped due to poor infrastructure, insecurity, multiple taxation and electoral malpractices.
Consequently, BAN noted that Nagaland’s economy languished in a state of dependency and stagnation while unemployment had risen sky high. BAN cautioned about the risk of sacrificing the future younger generation unless urgent corrective measures were implemented, adding that this development portrayed reality of Nagaland today where there were many governments to impose tax upon their own people in one hand, but no government to provide security to agents of development on the other.
According to BAN, though there was ceasefire between Naga armed groups and the armed forces, there was no peace at all in real sense. They said this was not the Naga people’s dream for freedom struggle.
“After embroiled in freedom struggle for the last so many decades, we ourselves had become victims of that very freedom which has gripped us more sternly,” BAN maintained.
In the face of threats and intimidation, they said the state’s silence raised serious concerns about the direction the people were heading. Pointing out that if the government failed to protect citizens, the necessity of its existence came into question, they maintained that the dire state of Nagaland’s economy, one of the lowest in the country, was a direct result of these compounded issues.
Calling for not allowing any individual or organisation to impose its rules upon the people, leading to further poverty and misery, BAN emphasised that it was crucial for the Nagas to uphold God’s promise to work and eat, ensuring the survival and prosperity of the next generation.
The business body cautioned that such death threats would only alienate the public from their cause, adding that they would refuse to let the younger generation inherit an economy and society marred by fear and stagnation.
“Our state, with its rich Christian heritage and peace-loving populace, deserves better. We must strive to create an environment that allows the next generation to thrive. Looking back at our history, from the head-hunting days to the struggles for independence and internal unrest, we see a legacy of sacrifice and resilience. This legacy demands that we act responsibly and ethically to ensure a brighter future for all Naga people,” the statement stressed.
BAN said it was their collective duty to uphold the values of the ancestors and prevent further decline, cautioning “Let us be clear that when we don’t understand our history, we destroy our future.”
Firmly condemning the threats and underscoring the need for accountability, they called for collective action to secure the younger generation, pointing out that there were certain concerns that needed immediate clarification from the stakeholders.
BAN also demanded to know what the Ceasefire Monitoring Group/Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFMG/CFSB) was doing to address the ongoing death threats happening under their watch, wondering whether they were in any way in conniving for these incidents. They said it was imperative to scrutinise the role of the ceasefire monitoring cell, especially given the numerous extortion cases occurring under their full knowledge.
Declaring that the Nagas had not given any mandate to any Naga Political Group (NPG) to issue death sentences to fellow Nagas for not meeting their illegal demands, BAN recalled that the original idea of Naga independence was to secure themselves from imposition of Indian taxes and alien cultures and political control. Hence, BAN said it was unthinkable that the NPGs imposed unbearable taxes upon the same people for whom they claimed to be fighting for political freedom. They mentioned that this was in total contradiction to the political commitment and aspirations.
As time passed without any tangible Naga political settlement at sight, they said they were disappointed to see the NPGs deviating from the principle and objectives of Naga national freedom movement and making themselves unbecoming of freedom fighters, as the world watched.
As local business community, BAN said they always expected patriotic support and political leadership from the NPGs towards the growth and development of the land so that the children could live productive and peaceful lives with dignity in near future.
DAYO backs AYO, calls on Naga youths to unite
Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) has expressed deep concern over the recent conflict between the NSCN-K (Khango) faction and K. Rulho, a respected contractor and proprietor of M/s KKB. The situation escalated when the NSCN-K (Khango) issued a capital punishment decree against Rulho, prompting the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO), as the leading youth body of the Angami community, to step in and mediate the crisis.
DAYO strongly condemned the NSCN-K (Khango) for issuing a death sentence based on extortion and coercion. DAYO maintained that such actions were alien to Naga traditions and also disrespect the sacrifices of their forefathers who fought for the Naga cause.
Further, it noted that the subsequent reactions from NSCN-K (Khango) to the AYO’s press statement, has intensified tensions between the two groups. DAYO warned that any further provocation could lead to widespread violence in Naga society.
DAYO also criticized the chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) and the Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB) for its silence and failure to enforce ceasefire ground rules. DAYO blamed the lackadaisical attitude of the CFMG over the years in implementing the ceasefire ground rules, which has pushed Nagaland to a state of anarchy. It said that instead of being in their designated camps, the NPGs were on an extortion spree with the guns issued to numerous cardholders.
DAYO cautioned that the patience of the Naga public, who have endured ongoing extortion, should not be mistaken as weakness. It also warned that the citizens of Nagaland are on the brink of uprising. In the light of the worrisome situation, DAYO has given a clarion call to all likeminded Naga youth organisations “to stand united during this time of socio-political challenges” and if not, asked when would Naga youth stand united against nefarious forces making a mockery of human values, respect and our indelible history?
DAYO affirmed its support for AYO and committed to standing shoulder to shoulder to curb the cancerous growth of 24 factions and still counting; “whose ideology is now mostly based on spreading fear psychosis and extortion.”