Kohima, Dec. 31 : Several organisations have condemned the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) for issuing a life threat to vice-president of Sumi Hoho, Kitoho Rotokha.
The outfit has asked Rotokha to resign immediately or face “dire consequences”, alleging that Kitoho was siding with the rival faction — the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi).
The threat has come against the backdrop of Sumi Hoho urging the intervention of Union home ministry in the ongoing skirmishes between the two factions and removal of all designated camps from Zunheboto district.
The powerful Western Sumi Youth Front has condemned the threat on Rotokha, officially terming it unwarranted, and has asked the NSCN (K) to stop harassing and targeting people, particularly office-bearers of tribal Hohos, for playing the mediator’s role between the factions.
“The Hoho and its office-bearers are bound to approach the authorities of any faction for the welfare and in the interest of the people. It should not be misconstrued as being in favour of a particular faction,” a statement issued by the front stated.
The front said no government or faction was above people according to democracy norms, adding that serving the nation was serving people. Therefore, issuing threat notices and warnings against people was contrary to their own ideology.
President of the front Kakiye Zhimo asked the NSCN (K) to recollect the humanitarian deed done in its favour by Rotokha during the release of Hemail Sumi, an NSCN (K) cadre, from the custody of the Khole-Kitovi faction at Khehoi camp on October 8.
“During that goodwill mission, Rotokha had represented the Sumi Hoho and not the NSCN (K). However, he was accused of representing the NSCN (K) by Khehoi Camp,” Zhimo said.
“NGO leaders are mercilessly sandwiched between the hatred of the factions, which is very unbecoming and unfortunate,” the statement said.
Zhimo said if the NSCN (K) felt that Rotokha had gone against it at any point of time, it should authenticate its accusations with proof and evidence for the people to judge.
While asking the NSCN (K) to restrain from taking hasty decisions which cause undue mental tension to the people, the front asked the outfit to withdraw the threat immediately without any condition so that goodwill would prevail between the Sumis and the NSCN (K).
“The front assures that the Sumi Hoho and all its subordinate units shall not slumber until peace and unity prevail among the different Naga factions, no matter the cost,” the statement said.
The All Sumi Students’ Union and Sumi Totimi Hoho (Sumi Women Organisation) have also condemned the threat.
The women’s organisation said the decision to ask the Centre to remove all designated camps from Zunheboto was because of the violations of ceasefire ground rules by the rebels. They urged all right-thinking people and organisations to condemn such threat notices issued to the Naga leaders.
The union said all decisions taken by Sumi Hoho were collective and demanded immediate withdrawal of the threat to Rotokha.