Convenor Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), N. Kitovi Zhimomi while acknowledging existence of “armed gangs” in Nagaland said it should not be confused with Naga national workers.
In an exclusive interview to Nagaland Post, Kitovi also maintained that NNPGs are national workers and that they do not extort but levy “legitimate tax” as per the Naga Plebiscite 1951.
Without specifying who the “armed gangs” are, Kitovi accused them of indulging in “illegal activities” taking advantage of the unresolved political conflict.
Commenting on Governor, R.N. Ravi’s letter dated June 16, 2020 to Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, Kitovi said Ravi’s role as the Governor should not be confused with that of the Interlocutor.
“We should not confuse armed gangs with NNPGs or Ravi’s position as Governor with that of an Interlocutor. Both are separate. If there is any confusion with regard to NNPGs then Governor may clear his doubts through the Interlocutor,” Kitovi said.
Kitovi, who is also the ato kilonser/general secretary of GPRN/NSCN, said that NNPGs and Government of India were preparing for the “signing ceremony” when COVID-19 pandemic occurred. He asked Nagas to be prepared for solution any time soon.
Excerpts of the interview:
NP: Your comment on Governor’s June 16, 2020 letter to Chief Minister highlighting precarious law and order situation in Nagaland.
Kitovi: It is very difficult to comment. There is an apprehension why an internal confidential letter was leaked in this manner. It is still not certain whether the letter was deliberately thrown to the public domain by Raj Bhavan and Chief Minister Office (CMO) to know public opinion. If it was not a deliberate attempt then the incident has exposed that the two highest offices of the state have failed to uphold its credibility. The uncovering of the supposedly confidential letter has exposed everything of the state and its affairs. It is better not to further comment on it.
NP: The Governor in his letter mentioned about over half a dozen organised armed gangs brazenly running their respective so called governments challenging the legitimacy of the state government. What do you have to say on this?
Kitovi: Governor, R.N. Ravi being the State Constitution head has constitutional obligations. I cannot comment on his role as a Governor. I also cannot deny the existenceof armed gangs in Nagaland. However, I cannot comment anything on behalf of those armed gangs because I am a political leader. If possible, why don’t you go and interview those armed gangs?
NP: Though Governor has not directly mentioned any Naga Political Groups (NPGs) in his letter, it is understood that he was referring to NPGs when he mentioned “armed gangs”. Do you deny existence of such “armed gangs”?
Kitovi: There are some armed gangs creating law and order problem in Nagaland, taking advantage of the unresolved political conflict. However, there is no involvement of any member of the seven Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) in such illegal activities. These armed gangs are creating problems posing as Naga national workers. Unfortunately, public by presumption blame the NNPGs. We are being made a scapegoat.
For instance, few months back some unidentified miscreants opened fire outside the residence of Chief Minister’s aide, Abu Metha. Recently, some miscreants were nabbed with toy guys. All these are the handiworks of the armed gangs because nobody has come forward to claim such incidents. As for NNPGs, our government claim responsibility for our actions and decisions. There should be no confusion between the Naga national workers and armed gangs.
NP: You are saying that Naga national workers are not armed gangs. However, the Governor has implied otherwise. Is NNPGs comfortable negotiating with a person who harbour such views?
Kitovi: Ravi’s letter to Chief Minister was written in his capacity as Governor and not as the Interlocutor of Naga Peace Talks. We have nothing to comment on his affairs as Governor. However, if Ravi had said anything as the Interlocutor then there may be many things on our part to comment. We should not confuse armed gangs with NNPGs or Ravi’s position as Governor with that of an Interlocutor. Both are separate. If there is any confusion with regard to NNPGs then Governor may clear his doubts through the Interlocutor.
As the Convenor of Working Committee of NNPGs I can say that, till today, as the Interlocutor, Ravi is sincere, dedicated and committed to resolve one of the oldest political and armed conflicts as per the November 17, 2017 Preamble signed between Government of India and NNPGs. We are at the threshold to sign the final agreement. We cannot allow any element to destroy the dream of the people, which will soon translate into workable and practical reality.
NP: If Mr. Ravi is committed to sign the final solution as per November 17 Preamble then what about August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement signed with NSCN (I-M)?
Kitovi: Be it the Framework or the Preamble both are commitment to resolve the conflict. As for the NNPGs, we have agreed and are committed to resolve the conflict through democratic political process so that Government of India and Nagas can peacefully co-exist considering the political realities of the contemporary world.
NP: There has been apprehension regarding a single person holding conflicting positions of Governor and Interlocutor. Some have even suggested that Mr. Ravi should resign from one of the posts. What do you have to say on this?
Kitovi: Whether to replace the Governor or not is the prerogative of President of India, we have nothing to say on that. As for the Interlocutor, there is no reason why the present Interlocutor should be replaced at this crucial hour. Anybody wishing to prolong the solution may want to replace Ravi as the Interlocutor because he is committed for early solution.
NP: So are you denying your government’s involvement in extortion or levying illegal tax?
Kitovi: We cannot deny levying tax. However, what we are collecting is legitimate and nominal tax as Nagas unanimously resolved through Plebiscite (1951) to contribute to the movement till our final destination is reached. These contributions are voluntary and in terms of hundreds and thousands of rupees and not lakhs and crores as assumed by public.
Through media, we have come to know that Nagaland state is losing money in terms of crores. So whoever has misused that money are the real culprits and extortionists, though they may not hold guns in their hands. Our people think that Naga national workers are the extortionist but their real culprits are all those who have accumulated public wealth for their individual benefits. As for the NNPGs, we have never extorted, what our government levy is legitimate tax.
NP: The Governor’s letter has also caused concern over the status of the ongoing Peace Process. What is the status of Government of India and NNPGs Talk?
Kitovi: We have concluded the negotiation since October 31, 2019. There is nothing left to negotiate. We were preparing for the signing ceremony when the pandemic occurred. This unprecedented situation prevented us from meeting and chalking out the finer details for the signing ceremony. In the month of June, we met the Interlocutor and we decided to meet again on first week of July. However, the Interlocutor is undergoing self quarantine. We will meet very soon to finalise the details for the signing ceremony.
NP: After Governor’s letter was leaked, there has been in arrest of Naga national workers in the state and outside. Frequent raids are being conducted. Such a situation has cast shadows on whether the talk could discontinue and cease-fire abrogated. Should there be a concern over such eventuality?
Kitovi: The present situation can be likened to a child birth. As men we have not experienced labour pain but we are told that women undergo immense pain. This labour pain is replaced by joy when the mother first holds her child in her arms. Today, people of Nagaland are undergoing such situation, there is tension and apprehension. However, I appeal our people to keep our surrounding in order and be prepared to receive the new born solution. This present apprehension is temporary and it may be the pain for the impending solution.
NP: In his letter, Governor mentioned that Civil Society Organisations, at great personal risks to their members, have been raising voices against blatant unlawful activities of the armed gangs. He also mentioned that he received several representations in this regard. What do you have to say on this?
Kitovi: After the letter was made public, I have not come across any statement from Civil Society Organisations either in support or against it. Organisations that have been openly voicing against extortion and hurdling unfounded extortion charges against Naga national workers are yet to come out and acknowledge the letter. Initially it was they who insisted the government to get involved and act on such illegal activities. Now that the Governor, due to their pressure, has written to Chief Minister, these organisations have opted to be mute spectators. The best reason for their silence is known to heaven and them only.
NP: In a first, state government has directed all its employees to self declare relations with underground organisations. What do you have to say on such unprecedented move?
Kitovi: During 1950s, the Naga National government had prevented the people from serving Government of India. However, Indian agents convinced our people to work for their government. That is why today we have thousands of government employees in Nagaland. Today, I am yet to meet a government employee who has no Naga national worker relative. All state government employees have national workers as close family members, cousins or relatives.
If the state government is collecting such data in the interest of its employees then the state government must also take into consideration that there are good number of people from neighbouring states working as national workers here in Nagaland. The state government should consult its counterpart and make certain whether such data are being collected by them as well. If collecting such data is in the best interest of the government employees then equal treatment or benefits should also be extended to the government employees of our neighbouring states by their respective governments as well.