Clarifies ceasefire status, reaffirms Agreed Position
DIMAPUR, MAY 1 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN led by N Kitovi Zhimomi and Major (Retd.) RM Lotha has reaffirmed its commitment to the Agreed Position signed with the Government of India on November 17, and clarified its stance on recent ceasefire developments involving other groups.
In a press statement issued by the MIP, the group said it “does not harbor any ill-will against absentee comrades, either leaders or followers,” and that “Khehoyi Designated Camp will remain a welcoming destination for all positive thinking Naga National workers who firmly believes that the Agreed Position... is the only practical and honorable path towards resolving the Indo-Naga political problem.”
It urged that “petty, personal differences must be set aside,” and noted that “ego, personal grudge and negative energy have dented Naga history.”
The statement said that the leadership of GPRN/NSCN at Khehoyi has no objection to “whom the GOI invites, signs or extends Ceasefire,” but clarified that “for the record, on April 7, 2025, CFMG Chairman extended an invitation letter addressed to N Kitovi Zhimomi, Ato Kilonser GPRN/NSCN (NK). A five member CFSB team went to New Delhi and on April 11, 2025, CF was extended for one year.”
However, tensions reportedly escalated following a statement by Gen. (Retd.) M.B. Neokpao on April 14, in which he publicly denied deputing any GPRN/NSCN (Kitovi) members to Delhi or recognizing the ceasefire extension signed on April 11. “In the eyes of the GOI, this ruled himself out of any CF consideration,” the MIP stated. It further criticized the decision to let ENNWA issue a statement saying that the ceasefire between GOI and GPRN/NSCN (Kitovi) “will not be recognized in ENPO areas,” calling it “a wrong step.”
The statement asserted that “GPRN/NSCN (U) has never entered into a ceasefire Agreement with GOI,” and questioned the legitimacy of the April 28 announcement that a ceasefire had been extended with GPRN/NSCN (U). “To unilaterally claim the Ceasefire extension between GOI and GPRN/NSCN (U) at Chumukedima on April 28, 2025, which appeared in the local dailies, makes no sense,” it said.
The GPRN/NSCN (Kitovi) said that the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) is a “reputed institution,” and clarified that “the office of Chairman CFMG, by protocol and tradition, extends invitations for CF agreements or extensions/reviews to Naga entities and thus ceasefire agreements/extensions are signed with GOI, MHA representatives normally in New Delhi.”
Regarding the reported meeting between the CFMG Chairman and GPRN/NSCN (U) in Chumukedima, the statement said that it was only a “courtesy meeting” and not a formal extension of ceasefire. Naturally, GPRN/NSCN (Kitovi) sought the attention of the Chairman CFMG over such unilateral claim in print and social media, it noted, adding that the office of CFMG/CFSB “do not respond to social media and newspaper publications every time someone claims ceasefire.”
“Simply put, signing and extension of CF is the prerogative of GOI/MHA alone, CFMG/CFSB is only the facilitator,” the statement said.
The GPRN/NSCN (Kitovi) reiterated that ceasefires are not interchangeable between entities. “Ceasefire signed with one entity cannot shelter another nor applicable to another entity since clear boundaries are set both on paper and in implementing areas.”
While acknowledging that it is the Government of India’s prerogative to grant ceasefire or Suspension of Operation (SOP) to any group, the statement said: “As a pivotal partner in the WC, NNPGs, pursuing common Nagaland aspiration basing on Agreed Position, the ceasefire or SOP must be extended to even non NNPG entities who have understood the practical necessity to for early Indo-Naga political solution.”
It said that the GPRN/NSCN (Kitovi) “will encourage all leaders and comrades within the Naga family, to climb down from high moral ground. Accepting each other is the key and a pre-requisite for any struggling nation.”
