Ever since the unfortunate and highly despicable acts committed to the passengers including ladies of the Zunheboto-bound Tata Sumo near Zunheboto by the 3 cadres of the NSCN (IM) on December 21 last, the State Government had been making all out efforts to defuse the fast unwanted surging situation.
These despicable and inhuman acts committed to the Sumi ladies and their co-passengers on that fateful December 21 last by the cadres of the NSCN (IM) invited wide-spread angers from the Naga people particularly the Sumis in the Zunheboto district. The NSCN (IM) also admitted that their 3 cadres had committed such heinous and shameful crimes.
These despicable and inhuman acts committed to the Sumi ladies and their co-passengers on that fateful December 21 last by the cadres of the NSCN (IM) invited wide-spread angers from the Naga people particularly the Sumis in the Zunheboto district. The NSCN (IM) also admitted that their 3 cadres had committed such heinous and shameful crimes.
Yet, the angry Sumis under the banner of the Sumi Hoho and other apex frontal organizations of the Sumis in the district, after a public protest rally at the Zunheboto district headquarters on December 22, 2013, the following 3-Point Ultimatum was served to the NSCN (IM).
1. The public at the rally resolved to urge upon the collective leadership of the NSCN (IM), to physically hand over the four NSCN (IM) cadres involved in the incident, to the district administration within three days from the date of publication of the resolution.
2. In the event of the NSCN (IM) failed to comply with the resolution (No. 1), the rally resolved that the Sumi community shall withdraw its cooperation and support to the NSCN (IM).
3. The rally also resolved that no individual or organization shall initiate for release and extend support to the four cadres, while in custody of the district administration.
The resolution was jointly affirmed by president Sumi Hoho, Hovishe Arkha; president Sumi Totimi Hoho Kitoli Naje; vice president Sumi Kukami Hoho Vikuto Nurumi; president SKK Holuvi Chophy and SBAK women Secretary Kuholi.
In the meantime, the representatives of the NSCN (IM) came to Zunheboto and made a written commitment on December 25, 2013 saying that they would handover the cadres before 12 noon of December 26, 2013. However, the outfit failed to do so leading to inviting massive protest.
The Sumis and the Sumi frontal organizations in a letter on December 28 to the Chairman of the Cease-fire Monitoring Cell through DC Zunheboto said “as part of the non-cooperation to the outfit, the public resolved to flush out NSCN (IM) cadres” from Sumi inhabited area including the “Mukalimi designated camp.”
On the part of the State Government, it had been doing its best to defuse the situation arising out of the failure to honor the written commitment by the NSCN (IM) to hand over their cadres to the district administration. I, along with a group of Sumi legislators rushed to Zunheboto and met leaders of Sumi civil societies. Had the NSCN (IM) handed over their cadres to the districts administration, things would not have exploded to such a proportion as seen afterwards at Mukalimi designated camp.
Sensing this unprecedented development that would cost innocent lives in case confrontations took place between the armed NSCN (IM) cadres and the Sumi youth at Mukalimi designated camp, a team of Sumi legislators and high ranking Government officials led by me rushed to Ghathashi some few kilometers away from the Mukalimi designated camp on December 29, 2013 and met leaders of the Sumi frontal organizations.
When we came to realize that there would be serious consequences in the event of confrontations between the cadres of the NSCN (IM) in the camp with the thousands of Sumi youth camping near their designated camp, the State Government had no option but to ask the NSCN (IM) to vacate their camp to avoid human tragedies. On the same day, that is December 29, 2013, the Government issued a “Press Communiqué” asking the NSCN (IM) cadres to vacate their camp in the interest of restoring peace and harmony in the State. This issue was taken up with the appropriate authorities, and the State, under any circumstances, would not allow any situation to go for more violence and bloodshed.
Throughout these ordeals, the State Government was not sleeping. It had requisitioned State forces from neighboring districts like Wokha, Mokokchung over and above the forces available in the district. Assam Rifles forces had been called in from various nearby posts. All these extra-ordinary steps were taken to make sure that the lives and properties of the civilians were protected under any circumstances, while also seriously working to see that the hard-earned peace process that has been going on with the Government of India for the last 16 years was salvaged. Because the nature of situation had the potential to abrogating the ongoing ceasefire that would not auger well for the Nagas at this juncture.
One can simply imagine what would be the human tragedies had the State Government not asked the NSCN (IM) cadres to vacate their camp in Mukalimi.
Some sections of people had criticized the Government that it did not act on time but what the Government had been doing with whatever possibilities in their possession since the beginning of the unfortunate incident to the follow-up standoffs till the vacation of the camp by the NSCN (IM) cadres were not known by many including the Opposition Congress in the State.
It is very unfortunate that after almost a week of the unfortunate development, the Opposition Congress, in sections of local dailies, chose to criticize the Government particularly targeting me to “gracefully resign” as Home Minister for what they called “for incompetency as Home Minister.”
I would like to put some honest questions to the Opposition Congress that, where were the Congress MLAs from the Zunheboto district, when we were making all out efforts to contain the fast emerging unwanted situation? Is the Congress trying to describe me as “incompetent” when we could manage to defuse the situation or their intention was to meet their selfish ends at the expense of the lives of innocent civilians?
I don’t mind if they don’t want to acknowledge the Government’s efforts to salvage the situation but making such wild allegation even after fully realizing the whole situation was tactfully handled from exploding to an unimaginable situation is really unfortunate at this very juncture.
I also don’t agree to NPCC President Shri SI Jamir’s trying to paint my performance as R&B Minister as having poor track records. I am so amused as to how the Opposition Congress started having sudden interest in it which, I honestly think, was looked after by me with my best effort without any political bias or otherwise, when I was in-charge of it.
I would like to remind the Opposition Congress that a good number of roads were sanctioned under various schemes namely NLCPR, PMGSY, SARDP, NEC, CRF, ISC, etc. when I was Roads and bridges Minister in the State apart from my judicious utilization of State Plan funds giving equal attention to every nook and corner of the State irrespective of political color or affiliations.
In a democratic society, the people are the best judge and my performance was reflective in the last State general election.
I would also like to caution the Opposition Congress that in such a fragile and sensitive situation such as the one that happened in Zunheboto district should not be politicized for their narrow political mileage as such attempt may lead to dangerous political ripple.
G Kaito Aye
Home Minister, Nagalan d
