Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) has declared that it would only recognise president Kiviho Zhimomi and general secretary Toshi Walling, who is also the co-convener of WC,NNPGs, as legitimate leadership of United Naga People’s Government (UNPG), Naga National Council (NNC) if Z Royim chose to go against WC, NNPGs unity, as per the decision of UNPG/NNC emergency declaration.
In a statement, the committee said UNPG/NNC was represented by senior leader Toshi in the negotiations between the Centre and WC, NNPGs, adding that he had prominently contributed on and off the table.
On the other hand, Kiviho, as vice-president of UNPG/NNC, had attended all important WC meetings and decisions were taken with him on board in the absence of Royim, who at 80 was limited by age, lack of education and village existence, although a very senior worker.
The committee mentioned that these factors appeared to have played critical role in Royim falling prey to dubious and divisive elements over phone.
WC, NNPGs stated that it was convinced that there were anti-Naga elements and characters using cash and criminal propaganda to destroy the unity and comradeship within the committee members. It alleged that some vulnerable senior members had been bought off already and some were being contacted with the promise of great financial incentives.
Unfortunately, the committee observed that geographical distance between leaders and easy accessibility to their mobile phones had allowed the dejected, discharged and terminated members to easily contact, mislead and brainwash semi-illiterate senior leaders with false information about senior colleagues.
WC, NNPGs assured it would welcome reconciliation within UNPG/NNC leadership as the matter was within the leadership created by terminated elements. The committee said it would encourage Royim to respect his own age, respect the Naga issue and remain its part by maintaining the status quo.
“Only through this he will be regarded as a Naga leader. Without WC, NNPGs, he will live an isolated existence in his village,” read the statement.
