NSCN (Akato) declares joining hands with NNPGs; reiterates unilateral ceasefire

Akato Chophi-led NSCN/GPRN on Thursday declared that they were now part of the Working Committee of the Nagaland National Political Groups (WC/NNPGs) and also reaffirmed its declaration of unilateral ceasefire with the Government of India (GoI).
Addressing the media, after the group held its meeting at Hoito village on Thursday, NSCN (Akato) MIP kilonser AV Chophi Chophi said: “Though we are a different entity, we are part of the NNPGs.”
He further pointed out that before the spilt in NSCN (R), they were all part of cease fire and whatever ceasefire ground rules were framed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) were being followed.
It may be recalled that Akato (then vice president of NSCN-R) in November 2021 had led group and split from NCSN (R), which was headed by Wangtin Naga as president and ato kilonser P Tikhak.
When asked about NNPGs’ response on the matter, Chophi claimed that their president (Akato) had held discussion with NNPGs convener N Kitovi Zhimomi for being part of it. However, he said that nothing had been formally signed and the matter was in the process. He said that since they have recently come to an agreement with the NNPGs, they were making the announcement through the media after confirming about the development.
He also claimed that discussions will be held with Government of India on the issue and that “everything was positive”.
He said though currently there was no ceasefire agreement with Government of India, the matter would be solved very soon as the group’s collective leadership would meet the Central government officials and that so far everything had been positive.
On ENPO’s the demand for Frontier Nagaland, Chophi pointed out that even the State government had clarified that the matter was not in its hand, and that only Government of India could take a call on this. He said whether one may be from Arunachal, Myanmar, Assam or Manipur, Nagas will be Nagas.
As far as the group was concerned, Chophi said they were for solution and asserted that solution must happen. He said Nagas have suffered enough and that was why their demand was for solution rather than election.
Chophi also maintained that their president had made it clear during the meeting the none from the group would be involved in the forthcoming elections. An individual in his own capacity may be involved but “NSCN has nothing to do with the elections”, he stated.
NSCN (Akato) home (kilo) kilonser, Nokrang Lanu Aier, who also addressed the media, disclosed that their president (Akato) had made the declaration during the meeting, attended by leaders and cadres from various regions, that their stand was that even though they were a different entity, they were with NNPGs. Therefore, he said they wanted to declare that NSCN (Akato) group has been included as part of the NNPGs.
He noted that Nagas in Myanmar, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur were all fighting for Naga cause. He was hopeful that Naga solution should be reached before election and claimed that even their government’s stand was based on that.