This is in response to allegations leveled against me by CAO union territory-cum-kilonser, NSCN (IM), Ape Venuh, that appeared in the local media dated Jan 6, 2014.
Ape has alleged that I had shouted against the villagers of Tolozuma, “started blank firing and chased away one family on the night of January 3 without any reason and rhyme.” I am compelled to present the reasons behind the incident and also highlight some facts about Ape Venuh who is now projecting himself as the messiah of Dimapur.
On Jan 3, Ape’s brother Vicha and some others came and threatened the tenants residing in my plot of land at Tolozuma village to vacate. On hearing the news I came and confronted them why they should forcefully evict my tenants. I also fired a couple of shots in the air and in the process Apeh’s brother ran and escaped through the fence. The truth is I didn’t chase away one family but it was only Ape’s brother who fled out of fear when I fired blank shots.
For the public to understand the incident, let me dig a little further into the past. In 2006, I was a Captain in the NSCN (IM) Ihoshe battalion and Major Ape Venuh was the commander of Ihoshe battalion. In 2008, I bought a small plot of land from my colleague Captain Vekelie (also from Ihoshe battalion), which was adjacent to my own plot of land in Tolozuma village. Though it was purely an internal matter between Capt Vekelie and me, Maj Ape objected to the transaction and said that as their commander, they should have informed him about the sale of land. Ape then threatened to nullify the transaction and himself claimed Vekelie’s plot, which I already purchased.
Differences started from there and as Ape did not give up the claim, in 2010 I challenged him to a “man to man” showdown in that plot of land where I also fired some blank rounds.
On hearing the differences between me and Ape, the Chakhesang Hoho Dimapur District intervened and took up the case. After hearing both sides, on 12/7/2010, the hoho ruled that the piece of land I bought from Vekelie belonged to me and not to Ape.
But Ape, in his greed for land, still tries to lay claim to the plot of land and on Jan 3 this year, he employed his brother to chase away my tenants. Ape who is projecting himself as the guardian of Tolozuma village is in fact trying to control the villagers like a dictator.
It is still in the record that in 2004, he collected Rs. 2000 from every household in Tolozuma village and pocketed the money himself. Again, in 2012, he imposed Rs. 2000 to every household as his “personal tax”. In 2012 out of the 500 plus households, some 10 households refused to bow to his dictates.
In 2010, Tolozuma villagers were shocked when Ape declared that the village local ground would become his personal property and attempted to fence the ground. Outraged by the sheer audacity of Ape laying claim even to the village ground, I too openly declared and challenged that I will lay claim to one-half of the ground. After this, Ape gave up his claim.
Tolozuma villagers well know that every appointment, be it VCC or VEC, is done by “dictator” Ape. Even in the Church, Ape forcefully appointed his elder brother Nitsolo, also a deputy kilonser in NSCN (IM), as head deacon. When a section of deacons and church elder opposed as to why a “national worker” should become head deacon of the village church, Nitsolo himself summoned the deacons and threatened them with a pistol inside the church itself. To add salt to the wound, Ape declared that his elder brother will be the head deacon for “lifetime.”
In 2012 also, he terminated the names of all deacons of the village church. It was only after intervention of elders and leaders like Rev Dr. VK Nuh that some of the deacons were re-instated. Ape, the self-proclaimed guardian of the village who is in fact playing the role of “God” is evident again when in 2013, he terminated Pastor Mosa from his post as church pastor, alleging that Mosa’s theology certificates were fake. Despite showing and proving that his certificates were genuine, Mosa did not get back his post.
To show his “self-importance” in front of other, the ‘Ape’ also resorted to a cheap gimmick during the celebration of Tolozuma village recognition day. On that day, the villagers bought two mithuns as a gift to then parliamentary secretary Chotisuh Sazo who was the chief guest and then commissioner & secy. Zhaleo Rio. Ape gave money to the village council from his own pocket to buy a third mithun and forced the villagers to present it to him on the occasion to impress the visiting dignitaries and crowd. This is the “self-worth” of a man who acts as guardian of the village.
Finally, a little chapter from the past about my good friend ‘Ape’ who professes to cleanse Dimapur of all immoral activities. In 1984, Ape Venuh, then a constable in Special Branch was staying at his brother-in-law’s house in Phek town. Ape, do you remember the shame when we caught you after you raped the maid of your brother-in-law (some present kilonsers in the NSCN (IM) will testify to this as they were also present).
Old habits die hard- and so in 2012, you again took one of your maid servants to Kolkota on the pretext of medical treatment.
My old friend, hurling allegations and warning me not to “repeat such kind of challenging situation” is a feeble excuse of a man haunted by his past but still unrepentant.
Vedata Nienu,
Deputy Kilonser,
GPRN/NSCN
