SH team meets Khapalang

Sümi Hoho (SH)’s four-member team, which undertook a nine-day “courtesy and goodwill” visit to NSCK (K) Council Headquarters (CHQ) at Taka, Myanmar from February 15-23, 2016, held several interactions and meetings with various NSCN (K) top leaders both civil/central committee and military wings.
The team had interaction with the NSCN (K) chairman S.S. Khaplang and collective leaders at outfit’s CHQ, Taka on February 20.
At the outset, Sümi Hoho president Toniho Yepthomi said the invocations and extended greetings followed by introduction and presentation.
In his opening remark, NSCN (K) chairman SS Khaplang expressed his gratitude to the SH team for being the first civil society organisation that visited the NSCN (K) CHQ, Taka since its formation.
Khaplang lauded SH team members for the risks, troubles and pains that they underwent for the visit.
Recalling the role of Sümi community/leaders in the Naga Revolutionary movement, SS Khaplang said “Sümi leaders’ role and sacrifices are well recorded in Naga history and the Sümi involvement in the current Naga political struggle is vital and crucial”.
“I/we NSCN-K refused meetings and visit of some NGOs/groups since their motives were just for self vested interests and cheap publicity gimmicks”, said the chairman and maintained that “Nagas do not need passports to visit our own God gifted land”.
Dwelling on the relationship with the other Myanmar rebel groups, he asserted that “NSCN (K) has always maintained cordial relationship with fellow rebels, the closest neighbour Kachins”.
“Kachins and Nagas had lived like brothers since decades and the trend will continue without cease”, said SS Khaplang. He also highlighted the contemporary political developments in Eastern Naga areas. Commenting on the Western Naga Area (current Nagaland State, Indian Union), Khaplang lauded the efforts of the group’s deputy C-in-C ‘gen.’ Niki Sümi for building a massive stronghold and described him as a “faithful shepherd.”
“NSCN (K) will never succumb to any external forces nor compromise the rights of the Nagas until the last breath; sovereignty the one and only goal”, affirmed the chairman.
On the banned outfit tag and bounty on the leaders by Government of India, Khaplang said that “time will reveal who are the real terrorist; Indian occupational forces provoked and suppressed us, not the Nagas”.
Khaplang also briefly highlighted and deliberated on the United National Liberation Front of Western South-East Asia (UNLFW), which was formed last year under his leadership.
Recalling the formation of the NSCN and subsequent splits, Khaplang narrated the captive and rescue of NSCN (I-M) top leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Th Muiviah, post Shillong Accord, which, he said was in the knowledge of every Naga.
Sumi Hoho reacts to report on Myanmar visit
Sumi Hoho (SH) has issued a clarification with regard to their nine-day visit to Myanmar last February. SH president Toniho Yepthomi and general secretary Vihuto Asumi stated that a four-member delegation led SH president, vice president Khehoshe Yepthomi; general secretary, finance secretary Ghokhevi Chophy along a media person including several others (13 in total) paid a nine-day “courtesy and goodwill” visit to NSCK (K) Council Headquarters (CHQ), Taka Myanmar from February 15 to -23.
Toniho and Vihuto, while not denying that it was their first visit to NSCN (K) CHQ, refuted the reports that they were sent/assigned by certain agencies in Delhi and Nagaland government.
“We were not sent or assigned or carried any message from any agency(s), New Delhi or Nagaland State government as reported,” the duo rued. Sumi Hoho said that the delegation during its visit met NSCN (K) chairman SS Khaplang, top Naga Army generals, Kilonsers and Central Committee Members. While reminding, that their visit was just a “courtesy call/goodwill mission”, SH urged and “cautioned against any misleading reports or inputs keeping in mind of the volatile and crucial period” at this juncture with regard to the Naga political issue.
“We will not be held responsible if any ugly incidents, results or grave circumstances arises out of unofficial reports other than official press communiqué”, SH said. It was also made known that the delegation visited the areas covered under the “Naga Self- Administered Area”.