DIMAPUR, JUNE 27 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has stated that given the circumstances and atmosphere in which its officials were made to sign the Zunheboto ceasefire agreement, they could have been killed in the event the agreement was not signed. “It was on account of the circumstances of mental and physical duress in which the ceasefire agreement was made to sign disqualifies itself. Hence, his Excellency the Yaruiwo, Mr Isak Chishi Swu annulled the ceasefire agreement with the Khaplang group”, a statement issued by the NSCN (IM) stated.
Contrary to what the Sumi Hoho had stated about the June 14 ceasefire agreement between leaders of the NSCNs in the presence of the Sumi public, the NSCN (IM) has alleged that the NSCN (K) came with arms in civilian dresses. “In fact, Mr Aheto, Mr Hozheto of (K) group participated in the meeting with exposed arms tucked in their waists and many cadres of (K) group with full arms were loitering in the meeting premises, which had been witnessed by the people present there i.e., the NGOs and public present there who were cooking for the participants of the meeting”, informed the MIP press clarification.
The statement pointed out that the Sumi NGOs spearheaded by the Sumi Hoho had invited the NSCN (IM) to attend a ‘peace initiative’ meeting with the NSCN (K) on the condition to participate unarmed and in maintaining cordial meeting presentation, to be observed by both the sides on June 14.
“Following the assured norms of the meeting, the NSCN team came unarmed with the best of intention and with full confidence upon the Sumis responsible organizations”, it stated.
The NSCN (IM) also stated that while Sumi NGOs had assured of the agreement that both the parties would refrain from firing during the meeting, the NSCN (K) cadres it alleged fired continuously and that the Sumi NGOs did not raise any objections. The NSCN (IM) also pointed out that while the meeting concluded at around 5 pm, not a single Sumi NGO member accompanied the Deputy Kilonser and his team to see them off safely whereas, the Sumi NGOs went to drop the NSCN (K) representatives for reasons best known to them.
The MIP statement further alleged that around 8:30 pm during the return of its unarmed team that the NSCN (K) cadres led by Akheto way-laid them near Chisholimi village where the armed cadres fired several rounds. “They were intimidated and only after appeal and mention of the ceasefire were they freed to proceed”, the NSCN (IM) informed. Both the drivers of the vehicle which the Sumi Hoho sent for the transportation of the NSCN (IM) representatives are witnesses to this incident of confrontation, it stated further pointing out that the people belonging to Chisholimi, Chishilimi, Mukalimi and Ghathashi villages also heard the gunshots fired by the NSCN (K) cadres during the encounter.
“Thus the circumstances and state under which this agreement was signed proves the Khaplang group’s dictated and insincere nature of sinister assurances, which was designed to terminate all doors towards peace”, the NSCN (IM) stated.
The NSCN (IM) also stated that the Sumi Hoho should responsibly uphold the truth basing on facts witnessed rather than succumbing to the dictates of the NSCN (K) and that it should expose the facts to the people in what had gone wrong, where, why and how, so that the Naga people may understand the reality of the problem at hand and not be misguided by wrong press statements.
“The NSCN/GPRN would like to clarify to all that we believe in peaceful solutions to all differences. But all resolutions to peace should be based on national principles, sincerity, trust and respect”, the MIP statement pointed out.
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