Senior officials of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Unification) [NSCN-U] have dismissed reports that the faction led by N Kitovi Zhimomi had taken over Khehoyi Camp in a power struggle while key leaders – Ato Kilonser Alezo Venuh and General Samson Aye, the NSCN-U army chief – were away.
Speaking to the media, Col Joseph Awomi stated that the military wings of both factions had decided to work together despite ongoing internal conflicts within the organization’s civil and cabinet wings.
“There is ongoing friction between the civil wings and the cabinet, leading to repeated impeachments, but the Naga Army remains united. We have been national workers for the past 20-30 years, so we decided to let the civil wings be as they are, but the Naga Army will stay united,” said Awomi. He also stated that both the Naga Army from the Alezo camp and the Kitovi group remain in Khehoyi peacefully.
“We have nothing to say on the impeachment. The Naga Army will stay united. We don’t want to fight against each other. The army will do what it has to do. We don’t know what the cabinet will say regarding the leadership. We will wait for their decision in the next couple of days,” he added, reiterating that they aim to maintain peace.
Background of the dispute
The leadership crisis within NSCN-U escalated following an emergency National Assembly held on April 21, 2024, at Khehoi’s Tatar Hall. During the assembly, Kitovi Zhimomi was removed as Ato Kilonser and replaced by Alezo Venuh with Gen (Retd.) MB Neokpao Konyak as President. However, Kitovi soon rallied supporters, including Maj (Retd.) RM Lotha as President, leading to a standoff between the two factions and culminating in today’s alleged takeover of Khehoyi Camp.
Calls for restraint and peace
Following these developments, Nagaland BJP President Benjamin Yepthomi appealed for peace and restraint, urging both factions to refrain from further acts of violence.
“I sincerely appeal to both factions to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from any further acts of violence. The people of Nagaland have endured enough suffering, and it is imperative that we resolve our differences through dialogue and mutual understanding rather than the use of force,” said Yepthomi.
The Ato Area GB Association also issued a notice warning both political factions against armed conflict within the Ato area. The notice stated that any group engaging in the first act of firing would not be allowed to station within the Ato Area jurisdiction.
The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) also called for peace, emphasizing the need to safeguard the progress made in the Indo-Naga political process. “At a time when the people of the State are looking forward to the much-awaited final settlement of the Indo-Naga Political issue, any unwarranted violence could affect the final outcome of the talks,” the NDPP stated.