General (Retired) Niki Sumi, President of the NSCN-K (Niki), in a press conference held on the morning of October 12, addressed allegations regarding the abduction of two members of the Diphupar Ao Youth Forum. Sumi asserted that the two entrepreneurs were brought in for discussions related to unpaid taxes owed by their employer, the proprietor of a local water bottling firm.
He clarified, “The proprietor was asked to come to our office but he refused, stating that he would call the police instead.” Sumi said the intent was to communicate and not to abduct.
Sumi condemned the call for charging his cadre under Indian law, labeling it “illogical and non-negotiable” as the NSCN/GPRN operates outside the Indian Constitution. He expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with youth organizations, provided they approach the NSCN/GPRN directly with their demands.
Sumi defended the Naga political movement, stating that it is self-sustaining through contributions from the people it has been struggling for. He said that opposing taxation is a betrayal to the Naga cause. “When signing the Ceasefire deal, we made a conscious decision to sustain ourselves even though the Government of India offered a package,” he noted.
On the public outcry for “One government, one tax,” Sumi highlighted the need for unity among the various groups within Naga society. “The Naga society is divided with various different blocs like the CNTC, ENPO, UNC, and NTC,” he said, stressing that the civil organizations must first unify. He added, “If they stand up in one voice, the demand for one government, one tax will be justified.”
Responding to accusations against his group, Sumi claimed that while NSCN-K (Niki) is blamed, other factions are benefiting significantly, and the corruption within the state government often goes unaddressed. “They accuse the Naga national workers of selling off the Naga movement. But I will never compromise with the Naga identity and the Naga political rights. Protecting the Naga identity is my objective. It is not fair to always blame the ‘underground,’” he asserted.
Youth forum in Dimapur sets 48-hour deadline for Ceasefire Monitoring Board on abduction case
Following the expiry of a 48-hour deadline at 4 PM today set by the Ao Youth Forum for the police to apprehend the culprits involved in the abduction of two members of the Diphupar Ao Youth Forum on October 10, Dimapur-based youth organizations convened an emergency meeting to address the situation. During the meeting, they adopted five significant resolutions.
The assembly resolved to form an interim Dimapur-based youth tribal body, which will remain in place until a full-fledged tribal youth organization is established in consultation with local tribal apex bodies. The participants expressed their support for the formation of a Nagaland-based youth organization, as previously resolved during a public rally in Dimapur on August 6.
In light of recent events, the meeting demanded the installation of CCTV cameras in and around Dimapur to enhance security. Additionally, they called for the removal of designated camps from public areas at the earliest opportunity. The assembly also unanimously supported the Naga Council Dimapur’s stance on the principle of “One Government, One Tax.”
Furthermore, the body decided to represent their concerns to the Ceasefire Monitoring Group, requesting prompt intervention and assistance in apprehending the culprits from the NSCN-K (Niki) involved in the abduction and extortion case. This submission has been endorsed by 16 organizations, including various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Dimapur-based youth bodies.
The meeting concluded with a new 48-hour deadline issued to the Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Board to ensure the apprehension of those responsible for the abduction case. Eighteen youth tribal bodies based in Dimapur participated in the meeting.