Expressing shock over the declaration purportedly made by ENPO not to “cooperate with GPRN/NSCN” that appeared on December 30, 2011, the Eastern Naga National Workers Association (ENNWA) said the decision was “highly questionable and unacceptable to a reasoned mind”.
ENNWA said the series of resolutions of ENPO on December 18, 2007 in declaring areas under ENPO as “Peace Zone” was a laudable on the part of ENPO leaders.
However, ENNWA asked whether ENPO was “justified in condemning GPRN/NSCN as the violator of its Peace Zone without knowing the actual incident?”
Following the ENPO declaration, ENNWA said it held an emergency meeting at Oking which was represented by every region on January 6 to stress on the few incidents that had occurred within ENPO jurisdiction after 2007 resolution.
ENNWA pointed out that in 2008, ‘Lieut. Col’. Kito was shot dead at Nagnimora;
In 2009, Rithrongkiu Yimchunger, Tatar of the GPRN/NSCN was shot dead in Tuengsang District; In 2011, ‘Brig’ Khungwang of GPRN/NSCN was shot dead near Mon town; in 2011, one lady was injured at Tizit town; in 2011, a shop keeper was shot and wounded at Kiphire town; in 2011, one Likhum, former tribal President was arrested at gun-point; in 2011, the house of the Chairman of the Chang Region, GPRN/NSCN was raided, where six (6) arms were seized by anti-peace group; in 2011, ‘Gen.’ Kholi Konyak’s camp was raided by anti peace group all his properties confiscated.
ENNWA asked where were ENPO leaders when the above were committed against its people?
On the award of capital punishment on GPRN/NSCN cadre late Tsilongse Sangtam near Kuthur, ENNWA said it was purely an internal affair as the act was treachery and betrayal committed by the deceased.
It clarified that the killing was not fratricidal that violated peaceful atmosphere under ENPO jurisdiction but “more of an eradication of a stagnant object that was polluting the Naga national movement, destroying Naga community as a whole”
ENNWA said the punishment was ordered because of the many anti-party and ant-social acts committed and also a negative fulfillment of the “oath” which Tsilongse had undertaken at the time of joining national service.
ENNWA regretted several “anti-national activities” committed by late Tsilongse that invited “the highest punishment”.
Recalling late Tsilongse’s acts, ENNWA said he defected to NSCN (I-M) with two arms, then re-defected from NSCN (I-M) with four arms on June 11, 2011.
On September 6,2011 late Tsilongse in command of Yemrup village, lost one weapon but it was discovered that he had sold it for personal benefit. Then on December 2, 2011 he attempted to snatch a weapon from the sentry at the residence of the ‘2nd –in-command’ of 2nd Brigade to “surrender to anti-peace elements.”
On the December 30,2011 ENPO statement, ENNWA said it accepted that it was issued in the name of ENPO “by few misled leaders” without the consent and against the wishes of Easter Naga people by sowing seeds of hatred and division among Naga political groups.
ENNWA asked why should ENPO be disgraced by a few individuals who “find pleasure through bloodshed and killings?” and why should ENPO’s “good name and image” be sacrificed to further “anti-peace policy of a particular group who renounced Naga reconciliation?”.
ENNWA demanded to know if ENPO would bear responsibility for “re-introducing hostility among Naga brothers?”
Expressing the belief that “real ENPO leaders” should identify those wolves in sheep clothing, ENNWA warned it would no longer remain mute spectator but “compelled to condemn destructive policies” while encouraging the right decision for the welfare of the people.
ENNWA also informed the Eastern Nagas that in future, any resolution or policies by any organization concerning the political future of Eastern Nagas made “without the knowledge of Gen.(retd)Khole Konyak”(president GPRN/NSCN), Hothrong Yim kilo kilonser and ‘Gen’ Neokpao Konyak (commander-in-chief, Naga Army) “shall be considered null and void.”
Further, ENNWA warned it would thoroughly examine the “intentions of certain individuals, shouting in the name of ENPO but factually destroying it” and would not hesitate to expose them to the ENPO public and Nagas and that “exemplary punishments shall be initiated if their evil designs are not stopped.”
ENNWA also demanded that ENPO make its stand clear before Nagas whether it stood for “sovereignty of Naga nation or separate statehood alone” as it undermined Naga sovereignty with the demand for “Frontier Nagaland” adding it would be a “blunder in Naga history.”
ENNWA also cautioned ENPO against venturing into Naga political struggle “without understanding the differences.”
It said the need of the hour at the juncture was to struggle for peace though it seemed “slippery and elusive” as all were to blame.
Further it said every NGO, civil society and public leader “must speak the truth in the interest of all Nagas” as “pampering one faction on communal and tribal line will not bring peace in Nagaland”. ENNWA said it will not permit individual interests to “supplant Naga objective.”