190 personnel of Naga Army declare support for Kitovi-led GPRN/NSCN
“We were called back to the General Headquarters (GHQ) Khehoyi Camp from our various Command/Units and directed to report on or before 20th April 2024 by the Commander in Chief (NA),” the statement recounts. However, they say they were taken aback when General Samson Aye announced that the “Naga Army will take over the Government, and we will not allow the Ato Kilonser to be stationed in the Council Headquarters (CHQ), as he will be impeached.” According to the rank and file, the motives behind this move remain known “only to Gen. Samson and Maj. Gen. Hotoi alone.”
Declaring their “innocence over the 21st April 2024 infamous coup,” the signatories appealed to the public to “not implicate us as power mongers/traitors in any form whatsoever.” They clarified that they had not been told nor were aware of the purpose behind the attempted takeover, asserting that “it was done by the then Gen. Samson and Maj. Gen. Hotoi alone” who bears full responsibility.
The declaration expressed deep respect and loyalty to N Kitovi Zhimomi, whom they described as a “tall leader among the Naga National Leaders who had sacrificed all his prime age and continues his loyalty and service to protect the future of our younger generation.” They affirmed their commitment to stand by Zhimomi, vowing, “we shall not allow any elements to hijack or misguide our loyalty toward our leader.” The statement conveyed confidence in Zhimomi’s leadership, stating he “will never fail us but lead our people to a better future.”
Asserting their dedication to the cause, the rank and file also pledged to “strengthen the NSCN (GPRN) and make committed efforts to enhance and solidify the ‘Agreed Position’ in working toward an early Naga solution.”
Signed by 190 personnel, the statement was witnessed and declared by Major Generals, Brigadiers, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Majors, Captains, 2nd Lieutenants, and various non-commissioned officers, affirming a “clear conscience and sound mind.”
Factional divides intensify
The factional divide within the NSCN-U has intensified as 11 high-ranking members from the Alezo Venuh-led camp defected to reaffirm loyalty to Kitovi Zhimomi’s leadership. This factional split, which originated in April 2024 when Kitovi was impeached and Alezo Venuh was appointed General Secretary, has evolved into a full-scale political rift, leading to significant defections and complex alignments.
The upheaval within the NSCN-U began in an extraordinary emergency National Assembly on April 21 at Khehoyi’s Tatar Hall. The assembly ousted Kitovi as Ato Kilonser, installing Alezo Venuh in his place, under the broader leadership of GPRN/NSCN President Gen. (Retd.) MB Neokpao Konyak. However, Kitovi quickly rallied supporters, with Maj (Retd) RM Lotha as President, which spurred a factional standoff. Tensions mounted as both camps engaged in attempts to delegitimize each other, with Alezo’s camp prohibiting Kitovi’s followers from using the official GPRN/NSCN identity.
Further division came on October 1 when the Ceasefire Supervisory Board cancelled 15 ceasefire cards for members defecting to Kitovi’s faction and denotified the Ghukiye designated camp in Zunheboto, removing it from GPRN/NSCN-Unification control.
In a recent development on October 24, Kitovi’s camp released a statement from its MIP titled “More Escape From Confinement,” announcing that three Kilonsers, six Deputy Kilonsers, and two Tatars from the Khehoyi camp had pledged allegiance to Kitovi and Maj (Retd) RM Lotha. The statement listed high-ranking members including Kilonsers Tokiho Aye, Tokiho Tuccu, and Kakiho G Zhimo, who declared their loyalty after reportedly experiencing “considerable distress” under Alezo’s leadership.
GPRN/NSCN-U clarifies
A day after 11 of its members joined the Kitovi-led GPRN/NSCN, the GPRN/NSCN-U said on Friday that former Kilonser Tokiho Aye and former Kilonser and Advisor to Collective Leadership (ACL) Kakiho Zhimo were “so addicted to gambling that they barely had time for food, let alone assisting the government as required.”
The GPRN/NSCN-U stated that Tokiho was suspended twice, first in May 2024, but was pardoned two months later after he submitted an apology letter to the government. He was again suspended in September 2024 and subsequently terminated from national service on 17th October 2024.
“These actions infuriated former ACL, Tokiho Aye, and consequently, he started misleading his gullible gambling partners. These people love gambling so much they cannot do without it,” the statement said. It added that when they were informed that such behavior could no longer be tolerated, “they simply chose to follow their kingpin.”
The statement also mentioned that former Kilonser Kakiho Zhimo and former Deputy Kilonser Akheto Swu are both Deacons in their respective villages, yet they are also involved in former ACL Tokiho’s mega-gambling groups. “Whether or not to take action against their own deacons, we leave it to the wisdom of the respective villages.”
The GPRN/NSCN-U claimed that it was well aware that Kitovi would seize any opportunity to make baseless and unfounded allegations. “But it is understandable because his anger has overtaken his common sense, his path ahead is uncertain, rumors of dissension within his party are growing louder every day, and the noose around him is getting tighter every hour,” the statement read.
The organization added that once the dust settles, everything will become clear. “Although such behavior is unavoidable, GPRN/NSCN (U) firmly forbids drinking and gambling within the Camp because Nagaland is a Christian state, and our motto is ‘Nagaland for Christ.’”
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the MIP of GPRN/NSCN-U announced that Kakiho Zhimo, Kilonser; Hojekhu Chishi, Deputy Kilonser; and Nitoho Aye, Tatar, were “terminated” from national service for breaching the ‘Party Discipline’ (A-Discipline) Clause-1 and (C-Security) Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 on 25th October 2024. All of the named individuals were among the 11 that recently shifted allegiance to the Kitovi-led GPRN/NSCN.
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