Dimpaur, Dec. 15 (EMN): Indigenous people’s organisations who were gathered in Kolkata to discuss indigenous people’s struggles and movements in India, have expressed pain at the loss of Gen. (retired) Khole Konyak, vice president of NSCN (IM), who passed away on December 12 in New Delhi.
A press release issued by Neingulo Krome, NPMHR secretary general, on behalf of the human rights and indigenous people’s organisations, stated that the strides taken by him in bringing closer to peace in the region and to the Naga people would never be forgotten.
He added that his contributions and leadership in the struggle of Naga people echo in the struggles and hearts of all indigenous people across Asia. While mourning the loss of a great leader, the organisations have expressed solidarity to the struggle of the Naga people and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.
The organisations are Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP); Johar, Jharkhand; Adivasi Gotra Maha Sabha, Kerala; Indigenous People’s Forum Odisha (IPFO), Odisha; Adivasi Mahila Maha Sangh, Chhattisgarh; Chattisgarh Tribal People’s Forum, Chhattisgarh; Adivasi Mahila Jan Jagriti Sangh, Chhattisgarh; Gram Sabha Adhikar Manch, Chhattisgarh; Zilla Mahila Samithi, Jharkhand; Land Rights Resource Centre, Jharkhand; Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, Nagaland; Indigenous Women’s Forum of North-East India (IFWNEI), North-East India; Samajik Seva Sadan, Odisha; Karbi Human Rights Watch, Karbi Anglong; Borok People’s Human Rights Organization (BPHRO), Tripura; Adivasi Women’s Network, Jharkhand; and ANGNA, Odisha.
WCH: Western Chakhesang Hoho has also expressed sorrow on the demise of Gen. (retired) Khole Konyak and stated that his sacrifice for the people would be remembered in the history of Naga struggle for self determination.
WCH president, Dietho Rhakho, lamented that in his demise Nagas have lost a fatherly figure.
It prayed to God Almighty to grant him peaceful rest and solace to all near and dear ones.
ZYON: Zeme Youth Organisation Nagaland (ZYON), while mourning the demise of Gen. (retired) Khole Konyak, stated that the vacuum left by him would be a hard one to fill adding Nagas would miss a leader who has dedicated decades of his life for the right cause.
ZYON prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace and also asked the Almighty God to grant strength to his loved ones in their hour of sorrow.
The organisation also expressed grief over the untimely demise of Ngauhei Rangkau, son of NR Zeliang, on December 13. The organisation president R John Zeliang and the general secretary Rampau Haining Zeliang have mourned the loss of its member at a young age who has worked hard for the community. ZYON prayed for his eternal peace and asked God to grant strength to his family members.
THN: Tangkhul Hoho Nagaland too has expressed profound sadness on the demise of Gen. (retired) Khole Konyak and stated that Nagas have lost a great and straight forward leader adding his absence would not be easily filled in.
“His whole life of dedication and service for 62 years towards the Naga national cause will be remembered for generations to come. May the eternal soul rest in peace,” the note added.
Tangkhul Naga Long, apex tribal body of the Tangkhul community, has expressed sadness over the demise of Gen. (retired) Khole Konyak. The hoho president Hopingson A Shimray, declared that “The Naga flag will be flown at half-mast in the land of Tangkhuls for a week as we mourn the departure of our beloved leader.”
“We pray for the eternal repose of one who was a man of distinction in his innings as a freedom fighter and who has gracefully left the unadulterated legacy of Naga nationalism. A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts and through us they live on,” the statement added.
The organisation has pledged to honour the mantle and continue fighting for the rights in the same spirit demonstrated through his sacrificial life. The organisation has further conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members.
Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) has expressed profound sadness over the demise of Gen. (retired) Khole Konyak. It recalled his pursuance and the sacrifice for the Naga cause and his spirit of unwavering resistance to bring his people into light both physical and spiritual.
A condolence message issued by its general secretary Imtichoba Chang stated that his impeccable courage as a patriot would always be remembered by the Naga people.
The organisation has conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members and asked the Almighty God to grant them strength to overcome the loss.
