GPRN/NSCN ‘National Assembly’ backs Kitovi Zhimomi as Ato Kilonser

•    Rejects April 21 impeachment 
•    Terms it unconstitutional
•    New President, new army chief  

‘Impeachment a ploy to cover up financial misappropriation’

Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 29

N Kitovi Zhimomi staked claim to Camp Khehoyi and as the Ato Kilonser of the GPRN/NSCN, a month after he was dislodged from the Prime Ministerial post. Zhimomi made the announcement at the GPRN/NSCN’s ‘National Assembly’ organised at his 5th Mile Model village residence, located in Chümoukedima on May 28. 

The National Assembly rejected the April 21 decision of the National Tatar Hoho taken at the organisation’s Khehoyi designated camp that led to the impeachment and subsequent expulsion of Zhimomi. It termed Zhimomi’s impeachment as “unconstitutional” and reposed confidence in his leadership as the Ato Kilonser. 

It also elected a new team that will comprise of the Collective Leadership led by Major (retired) RM Lotha as the President and Zhimomi as the Ato Kilonser. Chennyiem Konyak was elected as the Vice President and Jungshiwati Ao as the Deputy Ato Kilonser. Brigadier Kiyehe Yeptho was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Naga Army with Brigadier Yekuto Zhimo as the deputy army chief. 

A 2-point resolution adopted by the assembly stated that the renouncement of the April 21 impeachment bore the unanimous consent of the Advisors to the Collective Leadership, National Political Advisory Council, Council of Kilonsers, rank and file of the Naga Army, Union Territory, Secretariat staff and all the Regional authorities of GPRN/NSCN. According to it, the April 21 National Tatar Hoho resolution was engineered by a “few vested interest members” to unconstitutionally impeach Zhimomi. 

The “regional authorities” included the Konyak Region, Union Territory, Sumi Region, Chang Region, Khiamniungan Region, Lotha Region, Angami Region, Yimkhiung region, Ao Region, Prom Region and Kuki Affairs.  

Citing unconstitutionality as the ground for the rejection, it declared the April 21 impeachment “null and void,” and reaffirmed what it asserted was a decision of the National Hoho (Assembly) dating to October 31, 2022, wherein Zhimomi’s tenure as the Ato Kilonser was extended for 6 years till October 31, 2028. 

The assembly further reasserted support to the new team of Collective Leadership “to lead the government in bringing Honourable, Acceptable and Enduring solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political problem.”

Internal intrigue 
In his address to the assembly, Zhimomi held that his impeachment was engineered by a small group in the GPRN/NSCN, set up led by army chief Samson Aye, to cover up alleged financial misappropriation. He said that during the 2023 National Assembly, false revenue/expenditure statements for the year 2022 were presented to which he raised objection. The alleged financial misappropriation amounted to an estimated Rs 7-8 cr.

According to him, he subsequently demanded that the misappropriated amount be recovered within a period of 10 months. In a bid to cover it up, he said that the April 21, 2024 National Tatar Hoho was convened, without the knowledge of the top leaders, leading to the crisis. He further accused Aye of taking unilateral actions, removing senior leaders causing widespread disaffection in the organisational set up.

He categorised Naga national workers broadly into 3 categories— those who are ideologically grounded or patriots, those who join the movement to escape punishment for crime or as a last resort finding no avenues in other sectors of the economy/society and the third as those who join inspired by the pioneers. He said that the first category hardly makes up 5 percent.  

16-point Agreement
While he said, “We are all enjoying the fruits of the 16 point agreement,” he added that that a political solution is required, higher in scope than the 16-point Agreement, one that would enable the younger generation have a brighter future. He said that there has to be permanent peace for Nagaland to progress and take advantage of the Government of India’s (GoI) Act East initiative.    

Unification means welcoming
Later, replying to media queries, he said that the group he leads is the “old party with new leadership.” “We have to continue our journey for a permanent solution. The allegation against me is untrue and I will produce the documents if required,” he said. 

He said that he took the lead in forming the group which went on to be known as the GRPN/NSCN-Unification with members from the NSCN-K and NSCN (IM) in 2007-08. While stating that the “Khehoyi Unification Camp,” was established under his leadership, he said that he was intent on occupying it but without violence. “Unification means welcoming everybody not kicking out people,” he said. 

On the chance of GoI hand in the crisis, he said that there was no reason to implicate GoI, while adding, “It was by our own cadre just to cover up corruption.” He further said that taking a strong stand against illegal taxation will be one of his main objectives.