NSCN (R) condemns armed raid on kilonser’s home

Top leaders of NSCN/GPRN (Reformation) have strongly condemned the armed intrusion at the private residence of the group’s finance kilonser Mughato Chophy on May 23 by NSCN/GPRN (Khango-Vusshe) vice-president Khekato Kinny and his cadres, calling it a blatant violation of the Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR) and a threat to peace in the region.
Recounting the events that night with a section of the media, NSCN (R) home secretary Tobis Zhimo said the attack took place around 11 pm when everyone in the house was asleep. He alleged that 15 to 16 cadres armed fully with sophisticated weapons stormed the compound, while others surrounded the boundary. He claimed though the armed cadres created commotion, and despite the unexpected raid, the security guards of Mughato did not retaliate, respecting the CFGR. He said the CCTV had captured the entire episode, and was ready to share with the media.
Zhimo stated the armed intruders questioned the security personnel on the whereabouts of Mughato, who was inside the house with his family, and later seized mobile phones, arms, and ammunition. He alleged that they fired multiple rounds before leaving the scene, which luckily did not injure anyone.
Responding to NSCN (Khango-Vusshe)’s clarification that the incident was not an assassination bid, he questioned the logic behind such an act. “What would you call it when heavily armed men enter a private residence late at night while the occupants are asleep? The public and law enforcement agencies are fully aware of what this was,” he stated.
On the claim by NSCN (Khango-Vusshe) government that the operation was taken to “disarm and teach a lesson” as Mughato had repeatedly provoked the group by claiming he had enough military strength to flush them out of Dimapur, he challenged the group to present proof.
Dismissing the allegations as “baseless, unfounded, and fabricated”, he clarified that the NSCN (R) was a functional organisation with a proper office and structure, where all decisions were made through collective leadership in accordance with the azha (rules). “One man’s opinion does not dictate the policies of the government,” he pointed out.
Zhimo also did not rule out personal motives behind the May 23 raid, adding that Khekato was once part of the NSCN (R), but left due to political differences, which was never an issue.
As both the groups were under ceasefire, he wondered whether the NSCN (Khango-Vusshe) had signed the ceasefire agreement to harass the Nagas. He demanded that the central government and Nagas should hold the NSCN (Khango-Vusshe) accountable for their actions.
Zhimo disclosed that a report on the incident, along with CCTV footage and details of seized items, including three arms, mobile phones, wireless handsets, and empty magazines, were submitted to the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG).
On the filing of an FIR, Zhimo explained that Mughato, though a kilonser, resided with his family at a peaceful village, and hence it was purely a matter of safety for his family and civilians residing there.
Regarding possible further actions if provocations continued, Zhimo said a decision would be taken by collective leadership and political leaders within the government, and refrained from giving further comment on the matter.
On the claims made by the NSCN (Khango-Vusshe) that the security guards first intimidated the intruders, he replied that the CCTV footage clearly showed there was no provocation from their end.
When asked if such incident would only affect the ongoing Naga peace process, Zhimo remarked, “It is now up to the public to decide”.
He conveyed to the residents of the colony where the incident took place that they had done everything to maintain peace.
On the ultimatum issued by the village council, Zhimo acknowledged the council’s concerns and said that the ultimatum was addressed to the state government due to the disruption of peace in the village area.