GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF NAGALIM
Ministry of Information and Publicity
PRESS STATEMENT
Hebron, 21st August, 2019
What happened yesterday (20/08/2019) at Thilixu village (Dimapur) at the residence of Khekato Kinny, UT Supervisor cum Defence Kilonser of NSCN (Reformation) is a fluke for him. Upon receiving confidential information of Khekato’s involvement in the murder of (L) Lieut. Col. Toishe Yeptho of Naga Army on 16th August, 2019 at Unity Colony, Purana Bazar-B, Dimapur, NSCN members led by Col. Khehoto went at Khekato’s residence to inquire. There was no order to shoot Khekato. But, guilty conscience took control of Khekato who directed his boys not to entertain Col. Khehoto into his house and in panic started firing from behind the gate forcing our boys to retaliate. The bullets whizz passed Col. Khehoto’s head.
We have not resorted to go for this harsh step for no reason. During our investigation, we got hold of one of his men who spilled out that Khekato’s hand is involved. To kill Khekato was not our mission. Had our motive been to kill him, we could have adopted other recourse that would not miss him. Khekato and his boys had the audacity to kill Lieut. Col. Toishe Yeptho in cold-blooded manner right in front of his wife who was also shot at. So, we are constrained to go for this action as demanded by the nature of murder and we shall leave no stone unturned to take the case to its logical conclusion.
However, what is apparently surprising is the unyielding mentality displayed by NSCN-R by having the temerity to issue misleading press statement stating they are restraining themselves though they are well equipped for any defense but ready to go to any extent to thwart any threat against them. They further questioned why this offensive action should take place at the time when the Nagas are yearning for peace and trying to hammer out a political solution with the Government of India. Rather, the question is why Lieut. Col. Toishe Yeptho was murdered by NSCN-R when the Nagas are in upbeat mood having recently celebrated the 73rd Nagas Independence Day and when the reconciliation process is going on for finalizing the Indo-Naga political solution.
What has triggered this ugly situation is the blatant act of irresponsibility shown by some wayward high ranking members of NSCN-R who have gone for the killing, taking law and order into their hands. As such, we cannot allow Khekato to go scot-free but to put him through the scrutiny of fair trial for the cold-blooded murder of Lieut. Col. Toishe Yeptho. In the context of what has happened we cannot help pointing out that NSCN-R has been a source of irritants for quite sometimes. But, tolerant as we are, we let it go unhindered. Henceforth, we shall review our stand lest undue advantage are taken over us.
The case shall however take a different turn if NSCN-R officially come up in defense of the murderer Khekato. This would be tantamount to owning up the murder of Lieut. Col. Toishe Yeptho by NSCN-R. Issued by MIP