With the Pangsau Pass International Festival (PPIF) scheduled to begin on January 20 at Nampong in Arunachal Pradesh, statements issued by leaders linked to rival NSCN-K political groups – Ang Mai and Yung Aung – have brought renewed attention to peace, security and unity in the sensitive Indo–Myanmar border region.
In separate communications, NSCN leaders described the festival as a symbol of shared cultural heritage among Tangsa, Tangshang and other Naga communities, while also referring to prevailing tensions and recent incidents in the Pangsau area.
In a message addressed to the PPIF Organising Committee, Maj (Retd) Sentu, Chairman of the Tangshang Region of the NSCN-K (Yung Aung), extended greetings to the Tangsa community and described the festival as a platform to preserve ancestral culture and strengthen bonds among Tangsa and Tangshang families divided by the India–Myanmar border.
Referring to the prevailing situation in the region, Sentu expressed regret over inconveniences faced by the organisers and assured efforts to maintain peace during the festival days. He said the Pangsau Pass International Festival should serve not only as a cultural celebration but also as a symbol of unity, reconciliation and harmony among Naga communities.
A separate statement issued by the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland, Ministry of Information and Publicity, said the NSCN-K, under the leadership of Ang Mai, Vice Chairman Nyeiton Konyak and General Secretary Kughalu Mulatonu, extended “full and unequivocal support” to the PPIF, which will be held from January 20 to 22.
The statement described the festival as a reflection of shared history and cultural resilience, noting that it brings together Tangsa people, other Naga tribes and ethnic communities, including Tangshang Naga cultural troupes from across the Indo–Myanmar border. It also highlighted the historical significance of the Pangsau Pass area, situated along the World War II–era Stilwell (Ledo) Road.
However, the statement also made allegations against the NSCN-YA group led by Yung Aung–Joseph, accusing it of disrupting public gatherings and festivals in the border areas. It further alleged that the group had recently demanded money from PPIF organisers and referred to an attack on members of the Naga Army on January 9, 2026, in the Pangsau area.
The NSCN-AM claimed that such actions had adversely affected peace and development in Naga-inhabited regions on both sides of the border, while stating that it remained committed to promoting stability, development and prosperity in the border areas.