Dimapur, May 12 (MExN): The May 2 shooting incident in Dimapur where two Sumi students’ leaders were shot has been “settled amicably” between several Sumi frontal organizations and the “NSCN/GPRN” today at the latter’s headquarter at Kehoi. A joint statement with regard to the issue was also issued after the meeting.
“Having tendered unconditional apology to the students’ community, the victims and the Nagas in general for the unfortunate incident on 2nd May 2009, wherein Mr. Benito Chisho, Assembly Speaker SKK and Mr. Atoka Chopy former president KDSSU were seriously injured owing to mistaken identity and having accepted the apology in letter and spirit, the GPRN/NSCN.SKK and the representatives from various organizations, hereby, issue this press statement in the interest of Sumis in particular and Nagas in general, that the issue arising out of the unfortunate incident has been settled in the spirit of oneness and brotherhood,” stated the ‘joint statement’.
In the presence of top “GPRN/NSCN” leaders and leaders from various Sumi organizations and also the DNSU, the kilo kilonser Azheto Chophy informed that the two cadres involved in the shooting have been terminated from “active national service.” Another top functionary said that the “commander” under whose command the incident happened is already ‘under trial’. The two cadres have been identified as one “AB-11584 lieut.” Nixuyi Sumi and a “OB-13635 sgt. Vikai Sumi.”
Claiming that it was a case of “mistaken identity’ on the part of the cadres, the kilo kilonser however asserted that the demand of the SKK to hand over the erring cadres to the district administration could not be met. He claimed the reason that the “GPRN/NSCN” is ‘an organization dealing with the “Naga national issue.” He asserted that they would still have seriously investigated into the matter and punished the culprits even if the SKK or other NGOs demanded or not.
The ‘publicity cell’ of the group, in a press note also asserted that the ‘termination’ of the two cadres involved in the incident “is based purely on the need for disciplinary measures as envisaged in the national yehzabo”. Saying that the action is in pursuance of what it claimed as “the pro-people policy” of the group, the ‘publicity cell’ expressed conviction that “the Indo-Naga political solution demands frankness and transparency first from among the Nagas before everything else”. The publicity cell stated that the unconditional apology tendered in the wake of the incident and the termination of the two cadres was “not to be taken as a sign of weakness on the part of the GPRN/NSCN”.
Acknowledging the action of the “GPRN/NSCN”, the All Sumi Students’ Union (SKK) today appreciated it “for owning responsibility” and “also for delivering justice” by terminating the culprits involved in the incident from “active national service”. The union thanked the state government for intervening immediately and air-lifting one of the victims to Guwahati and providing financial assistance for immediate medical treatment. The SKK also extended gratitude to all organizations and individuals for their support and co-operation. “The SKK hope and believe that such kind of incident will not happen in the near future,” it stated.
