Division in NSCN-K out in the open

Guwahati (Assam), September 29, 2018:

The rift in the SS Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) is out in the open.

The outfit in a statement, issued by its publicity kilonser (minister) Isak Sumi said the “impeached” Khango Konyak is still its “legitimate chairman and president”. The statement said Konyak was “popularly elected by a unanimous 100% vote of the entire party workers and council members in June 2017”.

Last month, Konyak was impeached by Myanmarese Naga leaders of the NSCN-K in Myanmar.

However, Sumi said a “handful of kilonsers, deputy kilonsers and middle-ranking Naga army officers, belonging to Pangmi tribe, had attempted the “failed coup” at the instigation of Meitei (Manipuri) insurgent groups and the Paresh Baruah faction of United Liberation Front of Asom, known as ULFA-Independent. He described Konyak’s impeachment “unconstitutional, illegal, and invalid”.

The NSCN-K, which has both Indian Nagas and Myanmarese Nagas, operates out of Myanmar. Following the latest development, the outfit has been divided on the lines of nationality.

The NSCN-K was in a ceasefire with the Government of India until abrogating it unilaterally in 2015. Subsequently, the Centre banned the organisation.