Nagaland: WC criticise DGP’s remarks, reiterate Naga political context

Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) led by N. Kitovi Zhimomi, has expressed deep anguish over the abduction and assault of Kiyeto Zhimomi on January 19, by cadres of NSCN (Khango/Vusshe), stating that the incident caused pain not only to the organisation but also to apex Naga tribal bodies, civil societies and the public at large.
In a press statement, WC said the cadres involved had acted in contravention of the group’s Yehzabo and ceasefire discipline during ceasefire and had therefore been identified and terminated from national service. It maintained that the action upheld “Naga revolutionary principles and ethics” and ensured justice for the guilty.
Referring to director general of police (DGP) Rupin Sharma’s press briefing on January 19 incident and its aftermath, WC said the officer’s response was understandable under the circumstances. However, WC said it felt betrayed at the manner in which the DGP had painted all Naga political groups with the same brush in what it described as a reckless, dismissive, unschooled tone, while ignoring his role as a representative in the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG), tasked not only to help maintain but broker peace in peace process.
WC further alleged that the DGP’s remarks appeared to incite the Naga public, village headmen and landowners, while lecturing them on law-and-order structures and ceasefire dos and don’ts. It also objected to his reported appeal to landowners to withdraw no-objection certificates (NOCs) issued for Ceasefire Supervisory Board offices, stating that such reflected his true intent. Rather, WC added that he utterly failed to address “the cold, hard facts staring at him: The unresolved Indo-Naga political issue”.
It asserted that since political negotiations had officially concluded, DGP should have differentiated between law-and-order issues and the protracted unresolved Naga political problem.
WC said DGP coyuld go after discharged/terminated men, petty thieves and crooks using sophisticated tools and round-the-clock monitoring, but questioned his stand on “corrupt politicians, corporate thugs, swindlers and embezzlers of public wealth, including his own department, with whom he rubs shoulders on a daily basis?”
WC said the point is that all are, in many ways, the byproducts of the unresolved Indo-Naga issue.
Further, WC said the ceasefire between the Government of India (GoI) and Naga representatives has a political and historical connotation. It stated that both sides had assessed critical points on the ground and prepared a mechanisms to maintain peace, adopt confidence building measures between entities, which led to formal political negotiations.
WC remarked that when the ceasefire agreement was signed, Sharma was either in college or a junior police officer, and maintained that Naga political groups had maintained cordial relations with previous police leadership, CFMG chairmen, civil societies and apex tribal bodies on law-and-order vis-à-vis the Indo-Naga issue. It said this was not the time to lecture the public or babysit Naga political groups on ceasefire matters.
Describing the Indo-Naga political issue as a legacy of the British-Naga and Indo-Naga conflicts, WC said the DGP should use his tenure to help facilitate an acceptable and honourable political solution rather than drumbeat about blanket security cover over Dimapur and Kohima with CCTVs.
WC said it was unfortunate that the DGP was unable to see the “forest for the trees”. It recalled that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had once declared he would place a soldier behind every tree in Nagaland, but said those days are gone and replaced by mutual respect and acknowledgement of each other’s history and identity, creating space for dialogue and peaceful coexistence. In this regard, WC urged DGP to use his influence, authority and responsibility to assist the Nagas in facilitating an honourable and acceptable Indo-Naga political solution.
WC stated that as long as the Indo-Naga political issue remains unresolved– be it today, tomorrow- the generosity and solidarity of the Naga people will be welcomed. It said the formation of Naga Club in 1918 marked the seed of Naga nationalism, while the memorandum submitted to the Simon Commission in 1929 signified its early assertion.
The statement traced the movement through pioneers such as Neihu Angami, Razukhrie Angami, Apamo Lotha, Lenjang Kuki and Nijevi Sema etc., to NNC stalwarts including T. Aliba Imti Ao, Mhondamo Kithan, Visar Angami, A.Z. Phizo, T. Sakhrie, Kughato Sukhai, Gen. Mowu, Gen. Kaito etc., and to the present time. WC insisted on the facts of Naga history.
It further stated that with political negotiations having concluded and the people awaiting an honourable Indo-Naga settlement, DGP must help strengthen the peace process and not desecrate it. Noting that it was now 2026 and that Nagas had come a long way, WC appealed for continued solidarity, support and sustenance from the Naga public.