DEATH PENALTY ON CONTRACTOR SPARKS PUBLIC IRE AT NPGS, STATE GOVT, CFMG/CFSB
Correspondent
Undeterred by the rain, thousands from diverse backgrounds gathered in unity and solidarity at the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) “public rally against unabated illegal taxations, harassment, intimidation and death threat to common people” held at Old MLA hostel junction, Phoolbari, Kohima.
The rally, marked by a significant turnout of nearly 5000 people, demonstrated the community’s collective determination to send a strong message to all Naga Political Groups, the state government and the Cease-Fire Monitoring Group/Cease-Fire Supervisory Board (CFMG/CFSB) that “enough is enough”.
In his opening remarks, AYO president Kesosul Christopher Ltu stated that AYO had declared non-cooperation with the NSCN-K (Khango) group until the issue was resolved and that any member of the community associating with the group had been recalled. He reaffirmed the resolution of the Angami Public Organization (APO) made in 1993 and reaffirmed in 2015 that no Angami village would extend any help to the NPGs until they come together under one umbrella.
Ltu strongly condemned the behavior of various jobless entities who take away the hard-earned money of the common people who toil daily for their sustenance, stating that such behavior would no longer be tolerated. He reminded the NPGs that weapons procured through the money contributed by the common people to be used in the defense of the Naga nation should not be used in extorting money from the Nagas.
Voicing serious concerns over the mushrooming of new factions, Ltu stated that Nagas will not allow anyone to use these factions as private properties anymore. He emphasized that there was only one common Naga cause, and therefore there was no need for more than one faction to fight for that cause.
Ltu asserted that extortionists do not belong to any creed, color, or religion, and everyone should collectively fight against such evil practices across tribal lines. He stated that if the NPGs do not have any positive contributions towards Naga society, they should refrain from making any comments and that the public will take up the Naga cause by themselves.
Drawing attention to the CFMG/CFSB, Ltu stated that there were no freewill contributions and every collection made by the NPGs was a forceful contribution. He asserted that every captured extortionist should be booked under the National Security Act (NSA).
Recalling the question posed by NSCN-K (Khango) on the contribution made by AYO towards the Naga movement, Ltu said the people’s identity itself is the biggest contribution and questioned who the NPGs would fight for if there were no Nagas.
He cautioned the NPGs not to undermine the contributions made by the common public.
“Our forefathers did not start the Naga nationalism to see a day like today. The movement was not initiated for extortion and taxation. The Nagas have aspirations and dreams for one nation and one people, and this is the reason why the movement started,” Ltu stated.
He assured that AYO will extend its service and protection to any individual undertaking any work under its jurisdiction and that any Angami working in any part of the state getting threats from any quarter will be treated as a threat to all the Nagas. “God has given us one life each to everyone, and therefore it will end according to his wish and not through your threats or intimidations. Enough of your threatening,” Ltu said.
He added that the biggest threat against the people today was unity and that the Naga society was too fragmented. He hoped that the resolution of 1993 against multiple taxation would be a reason for the people to unite in the days to come. Ltu assured that AYO was fully committed to being part of any follow-up action, initiation under circumstances, under any level of threat, or any movement taken up by any of the groups present at the rally. He acknowledged that despite the heavy downpour, people braving the weather to show their solidarity was the biggest message that enough is enough.
In a short speech, Chakhesang Youth Front president Kevesa Khamo, while extending its support to AYO, said the common people have endured enough of the unauthorized illegal taxation and imposition by the NPGs. He stated that Nagas were well known for their peaceful coexistence, hospitality, and compassion and that the unabated taxation, threat, and intimidation were alien to the Naga culture.
Lotha Youth Hoho president Limhathung N Yanthan said the people at the rally were there to fight for their rights and for justice. He stated that death threats and capital punishment were unacceptable in Naga society and that in the face of the present issue, Lotha Youth Hoho was fully behind AYO.
Pochury Youth Organisation acting president Muphatho Nyuthe stated that the gathering was the beginning of many more such movements that were to come. He said that Nagas had gathered at the rally to get rid of the evils that were hampering the development of society.
Rengma Selo Zi president Kegwayhun Tep stated that the rally was not against the Naga national movement but against multiple taxation and multiple groups imposing taxation on the common people.
He said the people have gathered to show their resentment and make known that the people cannot remain silent anymore. He said Rengma Selo Zi had endorsed one government, one tax, and that until and unless the NPGs come together and the civil societies come together, the people’s aspirations could not be fulfilled.
Sumi Youth Organisation president Hikavi H Kinimi stated that the coming together of people at the rally was a testament to the people’s unity, solidarity, and resilience. He said the Sumi youths, under no circumstance, will endorse or extend their support to any Naga political group when they deviate from nationalism and engage in activities that jeopardize the lives of the public.
Zeliang Youth Organisation Nagaland president R John Zeliang urged the gathered youths to take forward the commitment they have made by coming to the rally. He said the youths should fight against the menace arising from illegal taxation, threat, and intimidation.
Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation president Tia Longchar called on the youths to continue fighting towards the destination the people could achieve together. Longchar pointed out that NSCN-K (Khango) has given up its armed conflict and has signed the ceasefire with the government of India in 2019.
He saluted the proprietor of KKB Rülho, a true son of the soil, for standing up against illegal taxation on behalf of all the people, stating that he was not alone in this fight, but everyone at the rally and the Naga public was with him.
Longchar said that after the formation of NSCN in 1980, there were more than a dozen splinter groups now, and these groups’ ideology of power was in the barrel of a gun. However, since the barrel of those guns are now turned against their own brothers and people, something sinister and diabolical has happened. He wondered if the Nagas have created a Frankenstein monster.
He stated that Nagas have gathered at the rally to speak out for each other and to stand up for the inherent rights of the people. Longchar said after going through the interview by the CFMG/CFSB chairman, it was evident that he was fiddling with Nagaland when it was burning because of unabated taxation. He said the chairman does not know the pulse of the people or the ground realities or the pain of the general public. He extended DAYO’s fullest support towards AYO in this movement.
During the rally, solidarity messages were given by Naga Students Federation general secretary Chumben Khuvung, Eastern Naga Students Federation vice president Sepikyu Sangtam, Business Association of Nagas executive council member Maj Vikuto Assumi (Retd), and Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CNCCI) president Dr. Khekugha Muru.
AYO general secretary Neidilhoutuo Neibu Sechü suggested the formation of a Nagaland Youth Organization, emphasizing the need for a unified body to represent and mobilize the youth across Nagaland. He said that such an organization could effectively address issues affecting the Naga community and advocate for their rights as a whole.
Later, AYO executive members submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Nagaland, La Ganesan, at the Raj Bhavan. Earlier, the rally was chaired by AYO general secretary, invocation was pronounced by senior pastor CBC Minister’s Hill, Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao, and the compere was Asano Zashumo. The gathering sang “God Bless Nagaland” led by Lochumlo Ovung with Libemo Enieo as pianist.
Highlights of AYO memorandum to Gov
In the memorandum signed by AYO president Kesosul Christopher Ltu and general secretary Neidilhoutuo Sechü, submitted to Nagaland governor La Ganesan, the youth organisation demanded that the Government of India strictly enforces the Ceasefire Ground Rules in letter and spirit by ensuring the cadres of the groups adhere to the agreed ground rules.
The youth organisation also asked the state government to take necessary action to protect its citizens and assert its authority if any such acts of coercion takes place.
AYO demanded that the government should ensure that armed groups cease and desist immediately their activities of intimidation and extortion in the name/guise of ‘donations’.
The armed cadres be confined to their designated camps and prohibited to move around with arms in civilian areas, the memorandum stated.
AYO further demanded that the Government of India “should stop legitimizing splinter groups by recognizing them…”
The memorandum stated that the “intentional abrogation of the ceasefire rules by the GPRN/NSCN Khango group by way of issuing death threat and openly intimidating the common people is not only a violation of the ceasefire norms but also violation of human rights.”
In this regard, AYO demanded that the Ceasefire Monitoring Group immediately take befitting action against the group.