Veteran Naga national leader now heading a faction of GPRN/NSCN, ato kilonser N Kitovi Zhimomi who insists that he remains convenor of Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs), has slammed the other Working Committee of NNPG as “newly-formed” and “self-proclaimed” having a deliberate attempt to drag solution.
Kitovi said this while interacting with sections of media here on Wednesday as he attacked the other GPRN/NSCN (U) led by MB Neokpao Konyak. Kitovi questioned Neokpa’s installation as WC, NNPG convener and wondered whether their internal tussle would only delay solution
Kitovi claimed that of the six signatories to Agreed Position (AP), four were with him, apart from NSCN (R) president Y Wangtin Naga, who remained with the new group. He termed Wangtin’s decision to use the singular term “Naga National Political Group” (NNPG) instead of “Groups” as wise decision since he was the lone signatory in the new committee.
He said that since the Centre had signed the Framework Agreement (FA) and Agreed Position (AP), the government should club both the agreements and come out with a common draft, maintaining that solution would be achieved only in this manner. Kitovi asserted that he was ready to sign the agreement whenever the common draft was prepared.
While noting that the Nagas were tired, he stressed that a solution should be reached before they got wild and angry. On the claims that he was offered the post of advisor in WC, NNPG, Kitovi mentioned that NNPGs was formed with a vision to stand for the protection of Naga youth.
He said after the NNPGs was formed, the Working Committee came into being, which led to the signing of the AP on November 17, 2017, with negotiations carried out keeping in view of the contemporary political reality, which concluded on October 31, 2019.
As names of the signatories in the AP could not be changed, he wondered how he could be offered the post of advisor when the talks had already been completed.
He also pondered how after 40 years of struggle and signing the AP, he could give away the convener-ship to someone who did not think for the Nagas. “I cannot forsake the future of the future Nagas down the hill in one night,” he asserted, adding that his work was not done yet, and would continue.
On allegations that he was removed from the membership of WC, NNPGs after he was impeached by his party, Kitovi clarified that what had happened on April 21, 2024 was not an impeachment but an army coup.
He reasoned that impeachment happened when the decision was taken led by president, chairman, government authority and party members, while in his case it was an army coup.
On the claim that a person could not be a member of WC if he was impeached by his party, Kitovi questioned why Isak Sumi, who was impeached three times by his party, and NSCN (R) president Wangtin, who was impeached by NSCN (R) vice-president Akato Chophi, continued as members.
With regard to the use of military rank by Isak Sumi as ‘col’ (retd), he said it was self-proclaimed and not awarded. On the use of the nomenclature “WC, NNPG”, he argued that it was misleading and creating confusion among the Nagas, urging the new group to adopt a different nomenclature.
He also criticised the new WC, NNPG, accusing them of abandoning the AP. He cited the January 14, 2025 statement where the new grouping assured to remain committed to honouring the Nagas’ historical and political rights, as expressed through the memorandum to Simon Commission, 1929, declaration of Naga Independence in 1947, and Naga Voluntary Plebiscite of 1951, besides safeguarding the ancestral territory across the artificial boundary.
He pointed out that this was a clear indication of denouncing the AP and warned that the group not to dirty the AP. “The Working Committee and members of the NNPGs are committed to protect the Agreed Position,” he declared, requesting the new group not to confuse the Nagas further and also not to use the nomenclature “WC, NNPG” further.
He said the Nagaland GB Federation and Nagaland Tribes Council did not attend the installation service despite being invited, calling it a significant indicator for the Nagas.
Responding to accusations that he was impeached due to his dictatorial style of functiong, Kitovi claimed that he had exposed financial malpractices within his party, including misuse of government revenue and the disappearance of 60-70 government arms. He alleged that he was described as a dictator after getting hold of the accused and issuing warnings to return the missing funds and arms before April 21, 2024.
“Even in the coming days, if government property is captured by an individual, I will not let it go. Even if they call me a dictator, I cannot compromise on corruption,” he said.
On frequent impeachments within Naga political groups (NPGs) leading to creation of more factions, he remarked that while new groups could continue to emerge, all NPG leaders and civil society organisations (CSOs) should participate in the final signing of the agreement, whenever the central government formally announced it.
Taking a jibe at the faction of his erstwhile colleagues as “new” WC, NNPG, Kitovi cautioned that this new WC,NNPGs could push a new agenda and therefore, urged the central government not to entertain any new agenda since the government itself had already made it clear that negotiations were complete.
On the state government’s role in the Naga peace process and the demand for a new interlocutor, Kitovi questioned why a new interlocutor was needed when the talks were already over, adding that this was just another deliberate attempt to drag the solution.
Meanwhile, NNC/GDRN president and WC, NNPGs co-convener Kiumukam Yimkhiung reiterated that there was only one NNPGs, while UNPG/NNC (Parent Body) ato kilonser Toshi Walling emphasised that impeachment by an individual government should not determine membership in the Working Committee. He also declared that there was only one NNPGs, noting that the Nagas were now only waiting for the final solution.
NPG/NNC ato kilonser Shitoho Chophy also voiced his continued support for Kitovi’s leadership, stating that Kitovi was the chosen convener since the inception of NNPGs.