Working Committee (WC) Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has clarified that “Akato Chophy’s exit was his own making and his re-entry into WC will require absolute unanimity among WC leaders, which has not happened.”
Reacting to reports on the merger of Akato’s group into WC,NNPGs fold, WC media cell in a statement said that although Akato had expressed unconditional support to Agreed Position and Status Papers of NNPGs, seeking acceptance into the fold, the decision had not been taken and that WC entities would decide the matter. Therefore, the claim of Akato’s group merging with NNPGs, as reported in the media, was premature and untrue, it said.
WC further clarified that till recently Akato was the vice-president of NSCN (Reformation) and an integral part of WC,NNPGs. “There was a small domestic issue within NSCN (R), which was amicably resolved in a sitting president Y Wangtin Naga and general secretary P Tikhak, ably assisted by WC convener and co-conveners,” WC said. However, WC said before the ink dried on the document, Akato on his own volition declared his departure from NSCN (R) on November 19, 2021 issuing negative press statements against WC, NNPGs.
WC asserted that the Agreed Position and Status Papers were official properties of both Naga people and the Central government and that none should defile it.
In consonance with WC, NNPGs standing principle, every decision of WC would be a collective affair through sincere and pragmatic approach, which would strengthen the core values and build greater trust among WC leaders, the statement pointed out.
In principle and practically, WC said it was an open platform for all Naga political groups, yet it stressed that certain political decorum and ethical conducts as individuals and leaders were necessary to ensure WC was strengthened and not weakened.
The existence of WC, NNPGs was based solely on equality and transparency on all matters. The issues of moral integrity, ethical values, political vision and commitment to common cause were the forging ingredients in WC, read the statement.
According to the statement, WC, NNPGs was a conglomerate of seven Naga political groups, each maintaining own political, administrative and military structure and following independent policy. The common principle was mutual respect, transparency and inclusiveness of entities towards fulfilling the Naga political aspiration.
