Form Forum to enforce boycott, expulsion, and seek amendment of ceasefire rules
Eleven villages abutting National Highway 29 have served a one-week deadline to the Government of Nagaland to apprehend those responsible for the recent violence at Unity Village. The joint resolution comes in the aftermath of the May 23 incident where armed cadres from two Naga Political Groups (NPGs) reportedly entered Unity Village and fired indiscriminately thereby violating the peaceful atmosphere and created fear psychosis in the minds of the villagers.
The village leaders—comprising Village Council Chairmen (VCCs), Gaon Buras (GBs), and Village Council Members (VCMs)—held an emergency meeting at the Sovima Village Council Hall on May 30. The meeting resulted in the formation of an interim body named the Highway Area Village Councils Forum (HAVCF).
Sebastian Zumvu, Chairman of Sovima Village Council, was unanimously appointed as the pro tem Chairman of the Forum, with Vika H Chishi, VCM of Unity Village, serving as its Secretary.
The HAVCF announced a series of strong resolutions aimed at preventing any recurrence of such violent intrusions: Any individual or faction member found violating the Ceasefire Ground Rules by carrying arms or ammunition within HAVCF jurisdiction will be apprehended and handed over to the police for legal action under stringent laws.
Any NPG whose members violate the ceasefire will face a complete social and public boycott and will be subjected to total non-cooperation from all eleven villages, even to the extent of ostracization.
Any individual residing in HAVCF areas found to be involved in such violent acts—whether by firing weapons or inciting unrest—will be expelled from all villages, and their land ownership shall be cancelled according to customary village laws.
These actions by HAVCF will be taken independently and without prejudice to any legal proceedings initiated by law enforcement agencies.
The Forum resolved to not permit the establishment of any NPG ‘designated camps’ within its jurisdiction, citing Point 13 of the existing Ceasefire Ground Rules.
Any group or individual indulging in antisocial activities in one village must be reported to HAVCF before any action is taken, ensuring coordinated response across the region.
The Forum demanded that Ceasefire Ground Rules be amended to prevent Ceasefire Monitoring Offices from being used as safe havens for criminals.
While appreciating the initial response from the Ceasefire Monitoring Group and law enforcement, the HAVCF warned that their inability to access certain areas due to ceasefire restrictions will no longer be tolerated. If the perpetrators are not apprehended and booked within one week, the Forum will initiate democratic forms of protest.
The participating villages in the May 30 meeting were Sovima, Tenyiphe-1, Chekiye, Unity, 7th Mile Model, Diphupar, Diphupar B, Thilixu, Sodzulhou, Kozabe, and Ikishe.