AYO officials with Nagaland Governor La Ganesan after submitting memorandum in Kohima on August 6. (Morung Photo)
Submitted on this day, the 6th August 2024: Public Rally organised by AYO
To,
The Hon’ble Governor
Raj Bhavan
Kohima: Nagaland
Hon’ble Sir,
We are sure that you are briefed by various agencies at your disposal and also through the news about the illegal activities being committed blatantly by armed groups in Nagaland much to the dismay of the general populace. The most recent case being the ‘Capital Punishment’ threat issued to a local contractor of Nagaland on account of forced taxation by the GPRN/NSCN Khango group who are currently under ceasefire with the Government of India. This case is just a tip of the iceberg as there are many such cases which have not been brought into the public domain.
Taking this opportunity, we would like to lay a few points for your perusal and immediate remedial measures:
1. Whereas, it is clearly mentioned in the Ceasefire Ground Rules mutually agreed upon by the Government of India and the various groups of the NSCN that the latter shall refrain from any activity which would disturb “economic and developmental activities as well as essential services” (#viii of Ceasefire Ground Rules).
2. Whereas, it has been mutually agreed upon by the Government of India and the various NSCN groups which are in Ceasefire Agreement with the Centre that the groups “will refrain from extortions, forcible collection of money and supplies and intimidation of individuals, including Government officials” (# xi of the Ceasefire Ground Rules).
3. Whereas, the onus of enforcement of the ground rules has been vested with the Government of India and that contentious issues relating to implementation of the ground rules will be resolved by a Ceasefire Supervisory Board/ Ceasefire Monitoring Group.
4. Whereas, there may be cessation of armed conflicts between Security forces and the Naga National Political Groups after signing of these agreements, extortion and forcible collection of money from all business enterprises have been carried out with impunity and the public is facing the brunt with prices of even essential commodities sky-rocketing.
5. Whereas, the GPRN/NSCN Khango group has gone to the extent of even issuing “death penalty” for not succumbing to their illegal demands.
6. The GPRN/NSCN Khango group has also issued a directive to all Contractors under the purview of AYO (implying all Angami Contractors) to immediately cease activities and demobilize their manpower and machinery currently deployed across other districts in Nagaland.
7. Now, whereas the public is utterly fed upwith the activities of these armed cadres, it may not be long before unarmed public take on these armed cadres resulting in a civil unrest which will have worse implications and results than that of the prevailing situation in a neighboring State.
We, the signatories of this Memorandum, keeping in mind the interests of the State and the country as a whole, demand that;
a. The Government of India strictly enforces the Ceasefire Ground Rules in letter and spirit by ensuring the cadres of the groups adhere to the agreed ground rules.
b. The State Government takes necessary action to protect its citizens and assert its authority if any such acts of coercion takes place.
c. The Government should ensure that armed groups cease and desist immediately their activities of intimidation and extortion in the name/guise of ‘donations’.
d. The armed cadres be confined to their designated camps and prohibited to move around with arms in civilian areas.
e. The Government of India should stop legitimizing splinter groups by recognizing them if it wants an early settlement of the Indo-Naga problem.
f. The intentional abrogation of the ceasefire rules by the GPRN/NSCN Khango group by way of issuing death threat and openly intimidating the common people is not only a violation of the ceasefire norms but also violation of human rights. We demand that the Ceasefire Monitoring Group immediately take befitting action against this group if it fails to take corrective measures by;
i) Withdrawal of the capital punishment issued by GPRN/NSCN Khango Group.
ii) Withdrawal of the directive issued to all contractors under the purview of AYO (implying all Angami Contractors) to cease activities and demobilize their manpower and machinery currently deployed across other districts in Nagaland.
g. In the event of any recalcitrant group continue violating the ceasefire ground rules, the Ceasefire Monitoring Group should abrogate the ceasefire with such group. Also, the concerned members should be strictly booked under the National Security Act of 1980.
The Angami Youth Organisation is a civil organisation, but we will not hesitate to protect our people at any cost. However, we firmly believe in the responsibility of the government to protect the wellbeing of its citizens and we trust that the Government will take all necessary actions. We therefore, urge you to consider our representation with outmost importance and urgency.
Kesosul Christopher Ltu
President, Angami Youth Organisation
Neidilhoutuo Sechü
General Secretary, Angami Youth Organisation
