DIMAPUR, JANUARY 24 (MExN): The Working Committee (WC) of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) on Thursday said there is an urgent need for all NNPG leaders, including Khango group of NSCN (K), tribal bodies and GBs to jointly identify and isolate defectors “vying for high positions in various political groups.”
Coming out with a strong statement on what it termed as the ‘menace of defection,’ media cell, WC-NNPGs said all recent defectors must be sent back to where they came from. Maintaining that increase or decrease in membership will not impact the outcome of political negotiations, the WC noted, “in a national struggle like ours thousands face hardship in civil and military wings yet true patriots do not defect or desert for it is a treachery accompanied by curse.”
It went on to assert that for defectors there will be no seniority claim or contribution to Naga National service because their names will be erased from service record the day one defects, adding, “it is a crime which not only makes a person cheap and untrustworthy in the eyes of general public, his/her tribe, clan and friends, even defector's children cannot escape shame and stigma attached.”
Considering the urgency and status of the Indo-Naga political negotiations, the WC felt it prudent for tribes, hohos, clans and families to reach out to own members in different political groups against defection.
“Nagas are yearning for honourable and acceptable solution. Defectors are like rats gnawing away at the hard earned fabric of Naga unity. These men and women should not be welcomed like heroes within NNPGs fold or outside,” it further stated.
The WC also said the general public in towns and villages too must understand the negative impact and social disharmony brought about by defectors. It therefore suggested that the NNPG leadership, tribal bodies and GBs must jointly identify these elements, de-affiliate them from Naga Political arena and treat them as persona-non-grata.
