KOHIMA, Jan 16: Leaders of major Naga political groups have jointly appealed to NSCN factions operating i to immediately desist from armed clashes and put an end to fratricidal violence among the Nagas.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the leaders said the Naga people have already witnessed the futility of violence and urged sincere, collective efforts to move away from what they described as a dark chapter of bloodshed that has weakened the Naga national movement. They said the biggest challenge confronting the Nagas today stems not only from external forces but from deep internal divisions.
The statement noted that repeated attempts by Naga groups to assert supremacy over one another have resulted in heavy losses of lives, resources and trust. Warning that the same destructive cycle would persist without humility and restraint, the leaders said no meaningful progress could be achieved through continued infighting.
Referring specifically to the recent armed clashes between the NSCN-K (Angmai Mulatonu) and NSCN-K (Yung Aung) factions in eastern Nagaland, the leaders said such incidents revive painful memories of the past and further erode unity among the Nagas. They stressed that forgiveness, acceptance and empathy are essential to preserve Naga history, culture and identity.
The appeal underscored that despite ideological differences, unity and collective effort remain the only viable path forward, urging all Naga groups to place their shared identity and common destiny above internal rivalries.
The statement was jointly issued by N Kitovi Zhimomi, Isak Sumi, Alezo Venuh and P Tikhak Naga of the Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPG), along with Rev Puni Mao and Kraibo Chawang of the collective leadership of the NSCN (IM).
