Nagas must forge a new political arrangement for the future: Kitovi

April 17, 2025 7 Views No Comment

Addresses ‘reunion’ prog at Khehoyi camp he reclaimed after 11 months

Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 17

The GPRN/NSCN’s Ato Kilonser, N Kitovi Zhimomi said that the Nagas must forge a new political arrangement for future generations. Including him, he said that Nagaland has enjoyed the fruits of the 16-point Agreement, and it was time for another that would chart the Naga future.

“Today we are enjoying the fruits of the 16 pt agreement. And who can deny this? However, what will we leave for the upcoming generations, our children and their children? It is high time for us to take a decisive step, and today is the right time to act for the future of the younger generation. We must forge a new political arrangement for them,” said Zhimomi in his first formal address in the Khehoyi camp since the GPRN/NSCN split into two in April 2024.

The occasion was the ‘Reunion Programme,’ held on April 16 in the GPRN/NSCN’s Council Headquarters, marking the return of Zhimomi, and what was termed to be rejoining of forces between formerly separated comrades. He retook the camp in a bloodless takeover on March 22, some 11 months after he was impeached and subsequently expelled from the GPRN/NSCN by his former comrades.

He did not specifically cite the Agreed Position entered between the Government of India and the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups, of which he was the Convenor. But he said that the Nagas, or the Indo-Naga political imbroglio, was nearing a resolution when he was illegally removed from the post of Ato Kilonser, and expelled from the GPRN/NSCN by the Neokpao-Alezo led group. The latter has also claimed the rights to the GRPN/NSCN banner.

“We were coming close to resolution but were derailed by a plot that resulted in my unjustified expulsion from the GPRN/NSCN. It was nothing less than an illegal coup. An Ato Kilonser cannot simply be impeached,” he argued. He held that what transpired in the ‘National Tatar Hoho’ on April 21, 2024, in the Khehoyi camp stemmed directly from his opposition to an inconsistent budget statement for 2022-2023.

He then went on to detail the turn of events which he alleged led to his April 21, 2024 impeachment and subsequent expulsion. The issues he questioned included missing revenue and an alleged case of missing weapons from the armoury. Some 68 weapons and an unspecified number of ammunition reportedly went missing from the armoury.

He termed the ‘reunion programme’ as an occasion commemorating the coming together of a family that was once divided. Major General Kiyeto Zhimomi, General Staff Officer-1 of the General Headquarters had sided with the Neokpao-Alezo camp, when Zhimomi was expelled from the GPRN/NSCN, to later switch allegiance. The GSO-1’s support proved crucial in Zhimomi’s retaking of the Khehoyi camp on March 22.

According to Zhimomi, the frequent power struggle in the Naga political movement has compelled the Naga army to take a firm stand against internal bickering in the civil/political setup. “We have had enough of bloodshed. There have been so many killings connected to the Naga political struggle, yet this violence has not resolved the fundamental issues,” he said.

He then went on to critique the Naga political movement, which he said has degenerated into a means to control markets for personal gain. Contrary to the initial revolutionary ideals, he said that the pursuit of personal enrichment has hijacked the Naga movement, resulting in disillusionment among the common people.

“It is high time for us to translate our vision into reality, and today presents the right opportunity to begin. We must revisit our past,” he said, while stating that there cannot be stability when the people are unhappy.

He also addressed accusations against him, stating he was falsely charged of claiming the Naga movement as his personal property.

He further said that christening the Khehoyi headquarters as ‘Unification camp’ was a mistake. Belying the moniker, he said that it has seen the multiplication of several groups. Henceforth, he said that it will be known as GPRN/NSCN camp only.

He later addressed a press conference where he re-encapsulated his speech at the programme. He was asked if he would accept the Neokpao-Alezo camp if the latter decided to join him. He retorted, “This you ask them. I did not expel them, they expelled me.”

While the day’s programme was dubbed a ‘reunion,’ some of the main protagonists were missing. Queried on this, he replied that only the disruptive elements did not turn up. He held that the Naga issue cannot be jeopardised at the cost of a handful.

He claimed that more than 300 personnel have switched over to his side since April 2024.