DIMAPUR, OCT 30 (MExN): Akato Chophi who recently joined the NSCN (K) after serving the NSCN (IM) in various capacity has refuted to the press statement issued by one Kiyeshe Aye, an SO in the NSCN (IM). “The press statement issued against me was not unexpected. But that it was issued in the name of Kiyeshe Aye came as a surprise as I know it was not issued by him. I am certain of this fact as I was also with the MIP in 1998 as S.O during which I was made to sign several statements of which I knew nothing about”, stated AKATO CHOPHI Supervisor Union Territory-1, NSCN (K).
He clarified that he had no ill feeling towards anyone in the IM group individually – “after all we are all supposed to be working for the Naga nation and we should try our best to be assets to the nation and not liabilities”, he stated.
Pointing out that he was not worried because the people of Nagaland (particularly Dimapur) knew him very well and long before “people from Manipur started invading Nagaland on the pretext of Naga nationalism”, he stated.
“Now Dimapur, the so-called commercial capital of Nagaland, has been entirely taken over by the so-called freedom fighters from a neighbouring state with the help from a few quislings and living off the very people they claim to be fighting for”, Akato alleged.
Clarifying on the allegation that he had misappropriated the funds of the government and that he was a materialistic power monger, Akato described the allegation as “very amusing and ridiculous”.
“My father established Hoito village in Dimapur and I became the chief of the village at the age of 18. All the land that I have now, i,e, paddy fields, orchards, fisheries, etc, I inherited from my father and I have not bought any property or land after joining the national service”, he clarified and challenged that if the NSCN (IM) can prove that he bought any land or property between 1997 and 2006, he would be ready to surrender them to the people. “Now I challenge you – can you do the same? How many of you joined the IM group not having even footwear and now having commercial buildings, business houses, firms, etc? How many of you joined IM group without having even an inch of land and now are landowners? How many of you joined IM group because you were fined and expelled from your villages by the GBs and village councils for robbery and immoral activities and now have become self-appointed judges and moral-keepers?”, he stated.
Akato stated that he had joined NSCN (K) after having studied the feelings of the people where all the support and prayers of the people lie. He also maintained that it is the NSCN (K), which is fighting for the cause of the Nagas as a whole. “Also, as a man dedicated to the Naga cause, I became disillusioned with the IM group which is particularizing just few tribes, thus sowing the seeds of hatred and disunity among the various tribes that make up Naga society. The Nagas know well that the IM group rejects the hands of friendship extended by other factions fighting for Naga cause and offers its help to other militant groups in the Northeast region”.
He also pointed out that the NSCN (IM) has stooped so low in bargaining with the Government of India as far as the demands goes. “From Sovereignty, they have climbed down to asking “Package” which is against the wishes of the people. Also the IM group which was vociferous in its demand for “Integration” has set its focus on “Intangki-Creation.”
On the term “torch-bearer”, he reminded those in the NSCN (IM) set up to retrospect on the affairs of their so-called leaders whose real intention is to sell-out the rights of the Nagas.
“To them, the word “independence” has become a history of the past as they have claimed independence. The palatial buildings, foreign cars and luxurious lives are the ample reasons why I am compelled to say this. The so-called talks are just pretexts of having to enjoy their independence rather than solving the long-pending Naga issue”.
He also stated that character assassination and trying to defame someone will not bring freedom but rather will only expose feelings of insecurity. “Had I had any such intentions, I could well-expose the profile of every individual in the IM set-up but by doing so, do I gain anything? I t will only dampen the spirit of the Nagas whose real issue is not domesticated such as these cheap allegations by my rivals”, he stated and reiterated that he had no personal grudges against anyone till now but if such character assassination continues, he cautioned that he will be compelled to do so.
