The collective leadership of the GPRN/NSCN has issued a press statement addressing the fallout from the extraordinary session of the National Tatar Hoho held on April 21, 2024.
In a statement, GPRN/NSCN president ‘gen.’ (Retd) MB Neokpao Konyak and ato kilonser Alezo Venuh explained that the session, deemed crucial for the survival of the people’s government, led to significant internal discord, resulting in the naming and shaming of senior national leaders in the public domain.
This needed a truthful and factual response, however, in the process the episode exacerbated and dampened the trust of the people who are the real stakeholders and source of power of the Naga political movement, they said.
GPRN/NSCN leadership acknowledged that despite considerable efforts by both senior and junior leaders to prevent this “dangerous political mishap,” the rift has become a sad reality, leading to the loss of a significant faction within the organization.
This development also shocked and disappointed the apex Naga Civil Societies, Gaon Buras (GBs), Tribal Hohos and leaders at all levels, who have long supported the Naga cause unconditionally.
However, the leadership emphasized that there remained a strong consensus and unwavering commitment and determination to the Indo-Naga issue being pursued on the principle of Agreed Position, which the WC, NNPGs has rigorously and transparently negotiated with the Government of India (GoI).
GPRN/NSCN stated that the ‘Status Paper’, a result of these negotiations, represents the collective will of all Nagas, including those in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam. They affirmed that WC/NNPGs sought people’s opinion and negotiated with the Government of India and this is “irrevocable and irreversible.”
“On his meticulously negotiated matter, we believe all other Naga political groups outside the current WC/NNPGs fold, despite our fundamental weaknesses, area on the same page in the Indo-Naga political discourse. Nagas must look at this practical scenario,” the GPRN/NSCN leadership stated. GPRN/NSCN recalled the fresh ceasefire agreement signed with the Centre on April 27, 2012, following the impeachment of former chairman S.S. Khaplang by the National Tatar Hoho.
The agreement signed by then MHA joint secretary (NE) Shambu Singh and GPRN/NSCN represented by the then supervisor CFMG C Singson Kuki and then army chief ‘lt. gen.’ MB Neokpao Konyak, was a decisive verdict of the Naga national workers to a national exigency.
They further acknowledged that the ‘Naga Self-Determination’, agenda set on January 10, 1929, is a testament to the long and arduous journey of Naga nationalism, which has brought great hardship and suffering to the common people for generations.
Despite these challenges, GPRN/NSCN expressed hope that the Nagas will continue to trust and support the WC, NNPGs), with which the GPRN/NSCN is a key partner to ink an honourable and acceptable political solution with the Government of India.