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KOHIMA — The Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has resolved to extend non-cooperation to the Khango-led NSCN (K) till the matter of ‘capital punishment’ issued to its member is settled.
This decision was “unanimous” taken during an emergency presidential council meeting held in Kohima on Saturday, after one of its “prominent” members, a contractor, was issued with “death penalty/ capital punishment” by the faction.
More than 270 people, comprising presidents and general secretaries from various villages within Angami jurisdiction attended the emergency meeting.
Addressing a press conference at its office in Kohima after the meeting, the AYO and head of four ranges -- SAYO, NAYO, WAYO and CYO -- claimed that higher authority of the NSCN (K) Khango group has “accepted” that the ‘death penalty/capital punishment issued to the proprietor of KKB Rülho is the doing of the group’.
The organisation had given “enough time” to the group for negotiation and to sit across the table for discussion in Kohima. However, the group failed to respond before the deadline, that is July 25, 2024, said AYO President Kesosul Chirstopher Ltu. This compelled the organisation to call for an emergency meeting and resolved to extend non-cooperation to the NSCN (K) Khango group, till such time the matter is resolved between the two parties.
The youth body also sought explanation from the group about the circumstances that warranted the imposition of capital punishment to the “Angami” contractor.
Issuing of death penalty/capital punishment “without any valid reason(s)” has been taken as a direct challenge to the entire Angami community, AYO added.
The house also resolved during the meeting to immediately recall all the Angamis who are in the NSCN (K) Khango group.
The Khango group members within Angami jurisdiction has been asked to disassociate from the group until the matter is resolved, said AYO, adding that the four ranges will get in touch with their respective range members who are in the group
The house also reaffirmed the standing resolution of the Angami Public Organisation (APO) taken in 1993, which stated that the ‘Angamis will not entertain the taxation of any Naga national groups until they merge as one’.
AYO said that it would carry out its agitation in a phased manner if the Khango group fails to come forward to settle the issue within a day or two.
While maintaining that it is not clear about the amount demanded by the Khango group, it said the contractor was asked to give money based on the projects and works he had taken up.
When asked if the organisation would be taking the matter with the police, AYO said they might not do so but the police are likely to file a suo moto case on the matter.
The AYO president also said the government agencies had “miserably failed” in tackling the taxation issue in the state.
While taxation is one of the “biggest menace” in the state, AYO said this is the first case that has been brought to the notice of the organisation and the most 'eye-opening' incident.