Dimapur June 21 (EMN): Khango Konyak, the 73 year old veteran of the NSCN (K) who was serving as the Vice Chairman of the group has been elected as the new Chairman/President of the NSCN(K) on June 20.
A statement issued by the group's publicity wing on Wednesday stated that "On the demise of S.S.Khaplang, the Chairman/President NSCN/GPRN, Lt.Gen.(Rtd.)Khango Konyak was elected to the Chairman/ President, NSCN/GPRN unanimously by the house on 20th June 2017"
The statement also included a brief biography of the newly elected leader which mentioned that he was born on July 17, 1943 at Yangkhao village in Mon district of Nagaland and was named as Bechung Khango.
He later joined the "Naga Army" at the age of 20 in 1963 and was part of the various foreign missions since 1966.
"Lt.Gen(rtd.)Khango went to East Pakistan on Alee (Foreign) Command in the year 1966 and later in the year 1976 was promoted to 2nd.Lt. and commanded 50 cadres to China under the leadership of Isak Chishi Swu and Th.Muivah and reached China only in the year 1977.
On both the mission, it was an arduous foot journey that took them several months trekking hills, mountains, crossing dangerous rivers and lakes evading enemy forces, on many occasion, sometimes for several weeks altogether they had to march day and night without food and water.
In the year 1989, he also served as the Chairman Konyak region and on 30th April 2011 he was appointed as the Home(Kilo) Kilonser(Minister), GPRN and later elevated to the Vice-Chairman/Vice-President, NSCN/GPRN on 25th May 2011." it stated.
The new chairman "Expressed that he never imagined to reach this highest position and attributed all his success to God’s providence".
How many educated and intellectual Naga leaders for selfish, vested interests had led the Nagas astray causing divisions and factions among the Nagas, however, he regardless of the tumultuous situations and enemy’s propagandas stood firm for what is right and continues to serve the NSCN/GPRN in his humble capacity and further pledges to carry on forward the unfulfilled task envisioned by our departed Chairman S.S.Khaplang."
He further reiterated that "the sacrifices of thousands of Nagas for many decades shall never be allowed to go in vain but would steadfastly pursue the just cause and aspiration of the Nagas till his last breath under the banner of NSCN/GPRN with the sacred pledge 'Nagaland for Christ'."
The group also stated that in spite of the "Numerous factional crisis erupted within the Naga family, he however refrained from involving in any of the political crisis of 1988, 2011 and 2015 and with clear conscience."
In what might look as a changed stance in comparison to the group's somewhat reclusive former chairman, the statement read that "He assures that he will serve as the Chairman, NSCN solely in the interest of the Naga people and to defend and uphold the sovereign rights, identity, dignity and honour of our people.
He appeals to the younger generation Nagas in particular and the Nagas in general that his Chairmanship will be for the Nagas and therefore seeks cooperation and support from all the Nagas"
A gunfight broke between the Indian Army para commandos and militants in Nagaland's Mon district bordering Myanmar in the early hours of Wednesday, a police official here said.
The exchange of fire took place in Choknyu village near Tapi bridge, when suspected National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) and United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA-I) militants fired at the para commandos.
"The gunfight lasted for an hour and suspected NSCN-K and ULFA-I militants retreated back to the jungles after intensive firing from the para commandos," a Nagaland police official told IANS.
