The GPRN/NSCN group led by ato Kilonser N Kitovi Zhimomi on Wednesday held a “Reunion Programme” at Kehoyi camp.
Addressing the gathering, Kitovi, said the reunion was nothing short of divine intervention, remarking that “it is because of God’s plan we are here. All who are gathered here have come out of their own will.” He credited the Naga Army for facilitating the reunion and lauded them for taking a decisive stand against further violence—“no more fighting, no more bloodshed, and no more war.”
Reflecting on the Naga revolutionary struggle, Kitovi admitted that while the movement once involved armed struggle for sovereignty, it had come at a high cost. “Many Nagas were killed. I cannot imagine the sufferings we went through,” he stated, while calling on the revolutionaries to now focus on fostering social harmony, stability, and uplifting the marginalized.
Commenting on the 16 Point Agreement that led to the formation of Nagaland state, Kitovi acknowledged its past contributions. “Nagaland is enjoying the fruits of this agreement,” he said.
However, he asserted that the agreement had now outlived its relevance and called for a “new political agreement, better than the 16 Point Agreement,” to secure the future of younger generations.
Touching on the Agreed Position signed with the Government of India and the talks officially concluding on October 31, 2019, Kitovi remarked, “Engagement with the Government of India is done. We are now waiting for the wedding.”
Kitovi also spoke on his impeachment dated April 21, 2024, terming it “unconstitutional.”
He maintained that he was targeted for raising issues related to financial irregularities and the disappearance of arms and ammunition. “It was not the National Assembly, but corrupt elements who orchestrated it,” he alleged.
Regarding the ceasefire extension, Kitovi claimed that the Centre had invited him to sign the agreement and that he had forwarded his credentials for the same.
He expressed disappointment over the absence of ‘gen’ (retd) MB Neokpao Konyak at the event, but revealed that RM Lotha was ready to step down from the presidency in favour of Neokpao. However, in his absence, Lotha would continue to serve as president, he added.
Announcing a symbolic shift, Kitovi declared that the Kehoyi camp would henceforth be known as the “GPRN/NSCN Designated Camp” instead of the “Unification Camp”, explaining that the previous name no longer reflected the current reality. “Until all groups return, the name ‘Unification Camp’ is not appropriate,” he asserted.
He also appealed to the Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF) to initiate talks with all Naga Political Groups (NPGs) to reflect sincerely on their commitment to finding a solution.
During the programme, RM Lotha announced the promotion of GSO-1 ‘brig.’ Kiyeto Zhimo to the rank of ‘major general’ in the Naga Army. GPRN/NSCN vice-president Chennyeim Konyak and Kiyeto Zhimo also delivered short speeches.
The event was chaired by GPRN/NSCN Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB) secretary Chuba Tungoe. Invocation was offered by chaplain Nochotole Yosa, while GPRN/NSCN kilonser G. Naga delivered the welcome address.
The programme featured special numbers by Alovi Ayemi, a special prayer by Dr. P. Atoshe Yeptho, pastor of P. Viloto Village Baptist Church, and a note of gratitude by GPRN/NSCN kilo kilonser Hukavi Yeptho. Benediction was pronounced by associate pastor of the GPRN/NSCN CHQ Church, Mankhe Konyak.
Kitovi open to common draft for Naga solution
GPRN/NSCN ato kilonser N Kitovi Zhimomi on Wednesday said that the group was not opposed to the idea of compiling both the Framework Agreement (FA) and Agreed Position (AP) into a common draft for a final Indo-Naga political solution.
Addressing the media on the sideline of a “Reunion Programme” held at Kehoyi designated camp on Wednesday, Kitovi maintained that no single group or political party could dictate the future of Naga people. Claiming that people of Nagaland wanted peace, harmony, progress, and prosperity, he questioned, “Without peace, how can we move forward?”
Asked about NSCN (I-M)’s opposition to a common draft of the FA signed by the group with the central government, and the AP signed by the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) with the centre, he quipped, “Truth will prevail”.
He remarked that groups that did not want peace could go where peace was not required, wondering how long would the Nagas fight without any guarantee.
He stressed that when the time for the inking of the final solution arrived, all Naga political groups would have to come together, highlighting that solution was not for one faction or group, but for the entire Naga people.
He however refrained from questioning the philosophy and understanding of the NSCN (I-M). Cautioning that delaying the solution would not result in Nagas gaining a separate flag and constitution, he urged the Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF) to create a platform inviting all civil society organisations (CSOs), tribal leaders, former parliamentarians, and senior citizens to collectively decide the way forward.
Asked why the “Reunion Programme” was organised when many prominent leaders were not there, Kitovi claimed that those who deliberately attempted to divide the group chose not to attend.
“Because of one or two leaders, the entire Naga nation cannot fall apart. Those present today are those who have thoughts for the future and are fed up of bloodshed and war,” he elaborated, adding that those who were absent could best answer why they did not attend the event.
On whether they would be accepted, he replied that they were not chased away but had left on their own accord. Asked about his impeachment, and allegations of financial misappropriation and missing arms and ammunition, Kitovi alleged that he was impeached when he went against the expenditure and questioned missing of arms and ammunition in the 2023 budget session.
Dwelling on how several crores of rupees were misappropriated by several members despite only three events — the Naga Republic Day, Naga Independence Day, and Naga Unification Day — being organised in 2022, he said hardly around Rs 15 lakh was sanctioned and spent, whereas records in the budget session showed expenditure of over Rs 2 crore.
Furthermore, though no delegation went to Delhi in 2022, he alleged that expenditure report showed an amount of Rs 6.30 crore in this regard.
He also claimed that over 60 arms and 11 lakh rounds of ammunition were found to be missing from the armoury, for which he constituted a high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by defence minister, two brigadiers, defense secretary, and chaplee kilonser to probe the matter. He said the SIT’s findings confirmed the missing inventory.
Thereafter, he mentioned that he summoned all those involved in the corruption, asking them to return the money and arms before the upcoming budget session on April 24, 2024.
However, in what he described as an attempt to cover up the matter and avoid action, he claimed that he was impeached on April 21, which was Sunday.
He also claimed that 99% of the members in the camp were unaware of the reason for his impeachment and later realised it was unconstitutional. Following this, he said more than 300 cadres joined his side.
On the nomenclature NSCN (NK), Kitovi explained that NK stood for “N Kitovi”.
Referring to the statement made by ‘gen’ (retd) MB Neokpao Konyak clarifying that he had not authorised anyone to sign any agreement on his behalf, Kitovi claimed that he (Kitovi) had received the invitation from the central government to sign the agreement for extension of ceasefire.
Responding to allegations by ato kilonser Alezo’s group that the coup of Kehoyi camp was not peaceful and that some leaders were bribed, GSO-1 ‘major general’ Kiyeto dismissed them as baseless.
He explained that due to internal conflicts over power between the military and civil set-ups, he and Kitovi’s army chief ‘major’ Kiyehe took the initiative without even informing Kitovi to reconcile and take corrective action in the interest of good governance.
He said the military set-up was fed up with fighting, adding that the reunion was possible due to military consensus and was conducted peacefully without a single bullet being fired.