The Working Committee (WC) of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has strongly condemned the July 13 IED blast near Khopanala in Chümoukedima district, describing it as an unforgivable act of provocation intended to undermine the Naga people’s commitment to peace and destabilise the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process.

In a statement issued by its Media Cell, the WC, NNPGs said the attack was not merely directed against the victims but against the people of Nagaland as a whole, irrespective of caste, creed, tribe or political affiliation. It said the incident served as a grim reminder that certain forces were determined to prevent the Naga people from experiencing real peace.

The Working Committee asserted that any group or entity committed to the philosophy of killing of Indian security forces and Nagas, as the only means towards achieving their goal, foregoing political dialogue and negotiations, should have have the courage to own responsibility for the act of violence.

The statement said WC, NNPGs Convener N Kitovi Zhimomi and all co-conveners were deeply appalled by the IED detonation, describing it as evidence that destructive elements were attempting to challenge both the Naga people and the Government of India.

It maintained that all Naga political groups under the ceasefire arrangement have been honouring the Ceasefire Ground Rules in both letter and spirit. As the Indo-Naga peace process moves closer to what it described as “a just and honourable logical conclusion”, the Working Committee alleged that certain elements were deliberately testing the patience of the people and attempting to push Nagaland into a situation similar to the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur.

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The WC, NNPGs also recalled that on July 10, 2014, under the leadership of N Kitovi Zhimomi, the then GPRN/NSCN signed the Geneva Call’s Three Deeds of Commitment in Geneva, Switzerland, committing itself to the protection of children in armed conflict, the banning of anti-personnel mines, and the prevention of sexual violence and gender discrimination.

It added that other WC, NNPGs affiliates too, in principle, are bonafide abiding partners of Geneva Call and the three deeds of agreement.

Expressing confidence in the progress of the political negotiations, the Working Committee stated that unless the Government of India betrays the trust of the Naga people, the negotiations have effectively concluded, with all understandings already placed in black and white and “there is no confusion”.

It further stated that the Naga people are prepared to coexist with India on the basis of an honourable and acceptable political solution, while warning that those who initiate violence from within or outside Nagaland would face the wrath of the people.