Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Dec. 17: The vice chairman of NSCN (IM), Khole Chetkok Konyak who passed away on Dec. 12 in New Delhi, was finally laid to rest at Wangshu village in Mon district on Monday. He was buried at a place called Jeyeang.
The burial was preceded by a funeral service held at the local ground of Tobu town. The funeral of Konyak at Tobu town brought together leaders of NSCN-IM NSCN (R) who shared the podium. Though Lt. Gen (Retd) Khango Konyak was scheduled to speak, he could not attend the funeral service.
The president of NSCN (R), Wangtin Naga who broke down during his speech, acknowledged: ‘where I am today is all because of Khole. And I have realised that he planted me where I have grown now.’
Remembering ‘Baba Khole’— as he was addressed by all— as ‘one of the best human beings’, Wangtin said he had asked Khole to be father of his ‘small innocent group.’
“After I got the news of his joining the NSCN (IM) group, I cried not because I felt bad or I thought it was a wrong choice but because I thought we have parted as father and son,” he said.
Peter Khole, the departed leader’s son, said it was time Nagas know there is ‘scarcity’ of leaders. ‘We are losing leaders; let this be the last one,’ Peter said.
“He may have made lots of mistakes but I plead to the Naga people that if you want to honour him, honour by being together and if we do that we are doing something for the nation,” he said.
Top NSCN (IM) leader, VS Atem remembered Khole as “a man of rare integrity, a man of principal and a man of few words who spoke with sense and wisdom, he lived by what he spoke.”
“My son has Konyak name, ‘Hamli’ christened by Khole. He may be no more but the children must remain united and this is the message I convey,” Atem shared.
He said Nagas must show utmost respect to a person like Khole and implored upon the Konyak community to continue to pray for the organisation.
Another NSCN leader, Tongmeth Wangnao said: “When Nagas were confused Khole showed us the way and we especially Konyak youngsters are grateful to you. Instead of money, materialistic things, Khole was more concerned about the community till his last breath.”
The condolence message from Khango Konyak was read during the service. “I am proud to declare Khole Konyak as my mentor, guide and elder brother who during my years in the Naga freedom struggle has been instrumental in inspiring me to uphold the inherent rights of the Nagas against all odds,” it stated.
