Warns biz against employing goons as union office bearers
Working Committee (WC), NNPGs has accused Government of India of reneging on the 2019 pledge for “co existence and enduring peace,” and also cautioned he state government that disillusioned Naga youth are drifting toward their own path amid corruption and institutional failure.
In a statement, WC expressed concern over developments relating to the Indo-Naga political issue, alleging deviation from earlier understandings. It said that by mid-October 2019, the then interlocutor R.N. Ravi and WC/NNPGs team led by convener N. Kitovi Zhimomi had negotiated what it termed as “co-existence and enduring peace” for both the Government of India and the Nagas.
It said seven years later, the Indian political leadership reneged on the pledge and which has again hurt Naga sentiments. It also alleged that certain sections, with wealth and authority, have “edited the script of the Indo-Naga political issue every December,” where central and state investigation and security agencies, uniformed/non-uniformed were overawed by the generosity and hospitality of the host.
WC also pointed out that discontent was growing among sections of the younger generation, describing them as educated, articulate and unemployed, and cautioned that such sentiments could shape their future course, peacefully or otherwise. WC said this section was “least bothered afraid of liars in authority barking orders.”
Alluding to state machinery, WC alleged that corrupt institutions and weak enforcement of law were undermining the aspirations of Naga youth, stating that such conditions were increasingly becoming unacceptable to the present generation.
“Guns and draconian laws have been there from the beginning but these are useless tools against human will to either fight or die. It can destroy or imprison the flesh but today the tremor is felt from the soul of each angry Naga youth. Those in power must stop plagiarising the Naga Political issue in New Delhi,” WC stated. WC also urged entrepreneurs, traders and shopkeepers to do away with the culture of employing local goons, petty thieves, profiteers and black marketers as business welfare union presidents-secretaries, market union chairman-secretaries and transporters union presidents-secretaries. It alleged that such individuals inflate the number of political groups, raise tax, collect protection fees from commercial outlets and devour much of the funds meant for the Naga political cause.
The committee warned that it would henceforth closely monitor the activities of the so-called business welfare union chairmen/presidents and secretaries adding that personal enrichment by using people’s contribution for the Naga cause would be dealt with appropriately.
Reiterating its stand, WC, NNPGs stated that as long as the Indo-Naga political issue remained unresolved, a “nominal traditional national tax and contribution” would continue to be sought as per the May 16, 1951 Naga plebiscite resolution from well-wishers and those earning their livelihood in Nagaland.
Meanwhile, WC expressed concern over what it termed an ongoing “witch-hunt” against members of NSCN (Khango/Vusshe), a ceasefire entity and its affiliate, and stated that the Naga political movement was a people’s movement sustained by public support. Referring to the January 19, 2026 incident involving the arrest of individuals in connection with the assault of a head GB, Kiyeto, the committee said the case should serve as an eye-opener for the state government.
While pointing out that those involved were behind bars, WC questioned whether the same law enforcement agencies would arrest K. Kits (Kiyeto) of Vikuho village, who it said was associated with the Railway Courier Union, Dimapur, and other illegal activities. Alleging that large sums of money were being collected and pocketed in the name of various Naga groups without giving a penny to any, WC questioned who the real extortionist was.
WC stated that those directly involved had been arrested or discharged from service, and questioned whether crime committed by Kits was punishable. It added that such funds could be used for the welfare of conflict widows, orphans, and for procuring medicines for the sick in camps. It further maintained that no Naga political group, except those that have surrendered, accepts any monthly maintenance from the Government of India.