Leaders of four Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) M.B. Neokpao Konyak/N. Kitovi Zhimomi (GPRN/NSCN); Z. Royim Yimchungru/V. Nagi of NNC (Non-Accordist); Kiumukam Yimchungru/Hangping Zeliang (NNC/GDRN) and Temjenyanger Ao/Hozheto Chophy (NNC/NPGN) have issued a strong statement against state chief minister T.R. Zeliang.
Leaders of the four NNPGs maintained they issued the joint statement to “safeguard the future of Nagaland” as well as to enable people to “take a closer look at Mr. T.R. Zeliang” who is accused of “playing haphazard diabolical politics that is heading towards crippling political , social and economic status of Nagaland”.
The signatories stated that on the “Indo-Naga political issue” chief minister T.R. Zeliang had “admitted clearly, that he does not know the contents of the 3rd August 2015 accord signed between the GoI and a single faction” but continued to appeal to people to support “a document, which even the Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi, is in the dark and would not comment”.
They cautioned that it was “very dangerous for a state chief minister to take the stand he is taking” since the Accord primarily focussed on a “political arrangement for Nagas in neighbouring states” and “does not include Nagaland.” Therefore, the NNPGs contended that it was “unwise to seek support in a non-inclusive talk that he is stranger to.”
Further the NNPGs reminded that on March 9,2016 at the Police Guest House Chumukedima, they had “categorically expressed themselves” to the chief minister and NLA members and also through media, about their position on the August 3 2016 Accord.
Since the government of India has “ruled out sovereignty and integration of Naga areas” they said it was the constitutional and moral duty of the chief minister to brief people with facts and also his duty to “properly inform GoI of the reality on the ground.” The four NPGs accused Zeliang of “selling hope to the people of Nagaland” and that the “fate of Nagas of Nagaland cannot be decided by Nagas from neighbouring states.”
The statement also recalled that at the celebration of Ao festival Tsungremmong in Mokokchung, the chief minister had called upon people to enquire (about the accord) if they did not know “but appealed not to condemn or criticise it.” The NNPGs accused the CM of being bent on “fooling people are every opportunity” and meeting various party leaders in India with “zero knowledge and deputing elected members to all parts of Nagaland, to garner support, as thought it will earn him Nobel Peace prize”.
They said Zeliang’s “obsession” with the August 3, 2015 accord “clearly suggests that he is conniving to destroy Nagaland altogether”.
Further the NNPGs dared T.R. Zeliang to lead the way by dissolving the assembly as per NLA resolution if he “truly believes GoI and NSCN (I-M) are on a verge of a solution” as this would be “more honourable than being a pet parrot.” The leaders also alleged that T.R. Zeliang performed “Hindu/Heraka ritual” at the inauguration of veterinary college in Peren district which “greatly hurt the sentiments of Christian Nagas.” They said T.R. Zeliang’s “dismissive attitude towards Naga social, religious and cultural values is unforgivable.”
The NNPGs also questioned T.R. Zeliang for being “prepared to sacrifice his religious beliefs for economic benefits” and added that raised questions about the chief minister’s moral obligation to the people of Nagaland. The four NNPGs asked “is Mr. T.R. Zeliang the chief minister of Nagaland or for neighbours?”
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