Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Oct. 17: Former chairman of the NSCN (K), Lt. Gen. (Retired) Khango Konyak, has reportedly arrived at Yongkhao village under Tobu sub-division in Mon district and a welcome programme for him was held on October 16.
It is learned that representatives from civil societies and NGOs from Eastern Nagaland were present at the welcome programme held in Yongkhao village. Reliable sources informed
Eastern Mirror that Khango Konyak was not averse to signing a ceasefire with the Government of India.
However, speculation on whether Khango Konyak would join other insurgency groups operating in Nagaland state or form his own group is shrouded in darkness. It is also not clear if the new leadership of the Khaplang group will allow other northeast Indian rebel groups to retain camps in their base area in Taga.
It may be mentioned that Khango was removed from his role as chairman of the NSCN (K) in August and replaced by Ying Aung, deputy minister of the NSCN (K) defence department and nephew of the late SS Khaplang. The replacement was made after three days of meetings from August 15-17 at the group’s headquarters in Taga village, Nanyun town.
Khango, who is western Naga or an Indian national, was appointed as chairman of the faction on June 20, 2017, after the death of the founder SS Khaplang.
The NSCN (K) had a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the Sagaing regional government in 2012 and was invited to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), which was drafted in 2015. However, as the outfit focuses on having a united Nagaland for the Naga people in both Myanmar and India, its chance of signing the NCA was hindered.
The group has been barred by the NLD government from signing the NCA because of its demand for an independent Naga homeland comprising of more than two million Nagas in India’s northeast and Myanmar’s Sagaing Division. The Myanmar’s 2008 constitution does not allow secession by any ethnic group or region.
In the meantime, the outfit abrogated its ceasefire with India in 2015 and started a series of attacks against the Indian forces.
(With inputs from Mychinland website)
