Photo Courtesy: nenow
Kohima: An improvised explosive device detonated near Khopanala in Nagaland’s Chümoukedima district on July 13, killing one Indian Army soldier and injuring four others. The explosion, labeled a cowardly ambush by local organizations, has triggered a wave of condemnation across the region. No group has claimed the blast.
The Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) condemned the attack as a direct challenge to the peace process. Convener N. Kitovi Zhimomi and his co-conveners issued a stern statement on July 15. The group declared, "The IED detonation is a clear indication that there are vicious, destructive minds challenging both the Naga people and the Government of India." The WC warned that those responsible for the violence would face the wrath of the public.
Major Naga organizations, including the Naga Students' Federation, Naga Hoho, and the Angami Youth Organisation, joined in calling for an immediate, impartial investigation. These groups fear the attack is an attempt to destabilize Nagaland and mirror the ongoing tribal conflict in neighboring Manipur. Several factions, including the NSCN-IM and the NNC/FGN, moved to distance themselves from the violence. They reaffirmed their commitment to the Indo-Naga ceasefire ground rules.
The NSCN-IM emphasized its status as a signatory to the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel mines. Similarly, the WC, NNPGs highlighted its own 2014 commitment to the Geneva Call, which includes bans on landmines and the protection of children in armed conflict. Other organizations, such as the International Human Rights Council and the Western Sümi Students' Union, urged authorities to ensure justice is served. They noted that the explosion posed a severe threat to daily commuters, including students, and urged the public to report any suspicious activity as law enforcement tracks down the perpetrators.
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