Eric Machieo
Suruhoto | September 13
Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of the “GPRN/NSCN,” Kitovi Zhimomi has revealed that the organization has no immediate intentions to start dialogue with the Indian Government till the Nagas unite and speak with one voice. He, however, expressed optimism that the day may not be far when Nagas come under a common platform, making a reference to the ongoing efforts towards unity and reconciliation of all Nagas.
Interacting with this Correspondent on the sidelines of a programme to honour Maj. Gen Niki Sumi on his completion of 25 years in the Naga national service at the “GPRN/NSCN” camp at Suruhoto on Thursday, the NSCN leader said unless all sections of the Nagas unite and speak as one voice, having dialogue with India would serve no purpose. “Without the Nagas first becoming united, having talks at this juncture can never serve the purpose. Rather, it would only prove to the world that Nagas are a divided family”, the leader said and expressed firm conviction that Nagas would realise this and make all efforts to forgive and forget and come together as one and present a common united voice to the world. He was also very optimistic that the efforts of the Forum of Naga Reconciliation (FNR) towards uniting the Naga family would bear fruit. The “GPRN/NSCN” Ato Kilonser also insisted that any solution of the Naga issue should be through dialogue and not through guns and violence.
‘Maj. Gen.’ Niki Sumi also echoed similar views saying it is futile to try to solve the Naga political problem without first uniting among ourselves. Maintaining that for too long Nagas have been fighting among ourselves, he appealed to all to listen to the voice of reason and unite and reconcile among ourselves and present a united voice to solve the vexed Naga issue. The senseless infighting among Nagas, he said, has cost too many precious Naga lives and the Nagas have had enough of killings. Earlier, emissary to the collective leadership, Kughalu Mulatonu had announced that the “GPRN/NSCN” had sent signals to the Indian Government of its desire to start dialogue to solve the Naga issue.
Meanwhile, hundreds from all over Naga-inhabited areas congregated at the Suruhoto camp here on Thursday to pay their respects to the General on his completion of 25 years in the service of the Naga nation. Those who paid their respects to the military commander included Naga national workers from the army and civil wings, public leaders and village elders, representatives of the collective leadership and even a serving legislator.
Those who spoke on the occasion, which included ‘ato kilonser’ Kitovi Zhimomi, extolled Niki as a living legend, a hero, a champion of the cause and also a guardian and fatherly figure to many. His sacrifices towards the cause of the Nagas will go down in the history of the Naga struggle; they all said and wished him and his family long life and further success in his future endeavours. On the occasion, congratulatory messages from top leaders of both the civil and military wings were read out by the programme chairman, Isak Sumi, PRO to ‘Maj. Gen.’ Niki. A souvenir recording his illustrious career in the national service from an insignificant soldier to the status of a legendary general was also released on the occasion.
