GPRN/NSCN religious affair kilonser, Kewungkhum said he was dismayed by the banner containing his picture that was carried out during the silent procession organized by Sangtam organizations– USSC, USLP and AST against the state government in Kiphire district on March 11.
In a press note, Kewungkhum said “the act of displaying placard which read as ‘BAN Tribal Army and Law is Law If Involves The Principal of Justice’ is total violation of my right”. While terming the action of the organizations as “illogical and unrelevant”, Kewungkhum clarified that the said picture was taken in 2013 at Himpio, Eastern area of Myanmar with Konyak and Tangsang Naga Armies when he was the then Education minister of NSCN (K).
He said that the picture was taken with the sole purpose/intention to publish a book titled—‘Oracle: Basing On Naga People and the Land of the Naga and the Rights’ by Muzieh. Y. Awunru.
He said the “malicious and conspiratorial act” was an outright character assassination, which has also “led to untold harm” to him and his family members. It has also shamed, degraded and damaged the reputation of GPRN/NSCN before the Nagas and the world.
He said that the action of the organizations needed to be condemned and questioned by right thinking citizens.
He also expressed dismay over the publication of the picture without proper confirmation and authentication. In this regard, Kewungkhum has sought clarification and unconditional apology within three days of the publication.
He said that such “random and unfounded act is war mongering and rumour mongering creating more tension in the already flared up situation”. While asking to be cautious, Kewungkhum said that such implication may also affect the ceasefire ground rules with Government of India and lead to derailing peace process and unity within ENPO jurisdiction. He further urged upon the state government to take note of the incident and development as such.
Kiphire Correspondent adds: The report and picture which was published on March 12 was based on the public rally staged outside the DC’s office in Kiphire in the presence of the district administration and police where the Correspondent was also present. Banners and placards were held by the protestors as part of the rally. As duty bound, the report was filed and the picture taken, without any prejudice to any individual or organizations, as a whole to show the protestors outside the DC’s office.
It is clarified that the contents in the banner were included by the protestors and for which this Correspondent had no role. Also, the correspondent had no knowledge of the picture nor had any intention to create any misunderstanding, but had carried out the duty as a journalist. Any misunderstanding caused by the picture to the individual/organization is regretted.