Youth bodies WNYF and DAYO raise alarm over abductions, gun violence in Dimapur, seeking action against ceasefire rule violations.
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DIMAPUR — Alarmed by a spate of abductions and gunfire in residential areas, the Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF) and the Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) on Wednesday accused armed Naga cadres of misusing ceasefire ground rules and demanded immediate action from monitoring agencies.
Addressing a press conference here in Dimapur, WNYF convenor Aga Rengma recounted that six individuals were recently abducted from their residences at around 11 pm—adding that the forum had earlier met officials of the Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB) to discuss repeated violations of ceasefire (CF) ground rules.
Rengma stated that although the CFSB had assured action against violators, incidents of gun violence and abduction had continued unabated. He alleged that armed cadres were carrying weapons and firing in residential localities, citing seven to eight such incidents in recent times, none of which had reached a logical conclusion.
Referring to the December 15 incident, he said that firing took place around 11 pm, injuring one person, who was later admitted to hospital by the miscreants themselves, while five others were abducted.
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He warned that such acts would not be tolerated and could lead to confrontation between youths and underground groups (UGs).
Rengma clarified that said the WNYF respects the Naga political peace process and the ceasefire agreement with the government of India. However, he cautioned that the ceasefire should not be treated as a licence to perpetrate injustice against civilians.
He further stated that while the organisations were not against Naga nationalism and would stand at the forefront if the Naga cause was threatened, the use of guns and ammunition to intimidate civilians was unacceptable and could make confrontation unavoidable if it continued.
While affirming support for the Naga national issue, he said it must remain voluntary and not be treated as a means of livelihood.
Placing a charter of demands before the government, Rengma demanded the arrest of those involved in the December 15 incident, as per the FIR filed by the Aoyimti Village Council. He further demanded that repeated CF violations be taken seriously by the Ceasefire Monitoring Board (CFMB) and the CFSB.
He recalled that during a meeting with the CFSB chairman in October 2024, assurances were given that no further violations would be tolerated, but alleged that these assurances had not been implemented. He urged the CFSB chairman to act immediately, warning that failure to do so could compel youths to take their own course of action, which he described as “aggressive in nature”.
However, he clarified that no extreme steps were being taken at present, as the organisations did not wish to disturb the prevailing peaceful atmosphere, and appealed to all national workers to maintain decorum.
DAYO president Boktiba Jamir, in his address, said that the organisations did not want the issue to take a tribal turn, but as Nagas, unity was essential. He questioned whether any authority—government, administration or the CFSB—had sanctioned any group to abduct individuals.
Jamir said that a ransom of INR 50 lakh was demanded, though the abducted persons were later released. He also disclosed that one of the victims sustained bullet injuries to his finger and buttock.
Calling for unity, he said peace could prevail only if people stood together and worked collectively.
DAYO vice-president Abenjang said that this was not the first such incident and questioned whether kidnapping, abduction or firing was permitted under CF ground rules. He warned that if the present case also failed to reach a logical conclusion, the organisations would not remain silent, adding that an FIR had been filed by the Aoyimkum Village Council.
When invited for queries, clarification was sought regarding claims by the Khango-led NSCN (K) that there was no abduction and that the individuals were apprehended in connection with a fake call centre.
In response, Abenjang said that the primary concern was the manner in which armed individuals entered houses at night, fired gunshots and abducted people, which he asserted was illegal.
Jamir added that one person was injured during the firing and later taken for treatment by the miscreants, while the other five abducted individuals were unaware of his condition. He reiterated that only lawful authorities had the mandate to act, not armed groups.
On the fake call centre claim, Jamir said that investigations should be carried out by the competent authorities, reiterating that the organisations were neither investigating agencies nor in a position to pass judgment.
Rengma said that WNYF intends to meet the CFSB again, adding that during the previous interaction, only verbal assurances were given.
He stressed that rampant ransom demands and abductions must end, stating that a demand of INR 50 lakh was unacceptable and that promoting gun culture could not be justified.