NSCN/GPRN-K top leadership fallout continues

Khango issues regret over January 4 incidents

Mokokchung, January 9 (MTNews): NSCN-GPRN (Khango) in a statement issued through its MIP expressed regret and apologized for the January 4 incident at the Thilixu village ceasefire office, where some Sumi community NGO leaders, village council members, and Western Sumi Youth Front were involved in a misunderstanding.

According to NSCN-GPRN (Khango) all misunderstandings were resolved that night before the village elders left the ceasefire office, but the issues were resurrected the next day.

The group maintained that it was not attempting to justify its conduct that night at the ceasefire office, which had inadvertently hurt the feelings of some NGO leaders, but rather to clarify the entire incident.

The issue, according to MIP, was the impeachment and disarmament of then-NSCN-GPRN (Khango) general secretary Isak Sumi for his lack of decorum and unpolished character. MIP said that Isak’s arrogance, power intoxication, and ambition had only brought condemnation and defamation to the government throughout his tenure as general secretary of the NSCN/GPRN (Khango).

According to NSCN (Khango), Nagaland political groups (NPGs) requested the government’s consent to the impeachment motion in 2019 in order to remove Isak from the position of co-convener, NNPGs and nominate another official. MIP reported that he was reinstated as co-convener at the request of Khango Konyak.

It claimed that Isak’s only notable accomplishments were corruption, drug addiction, nepotism, favouritism, autocracy, enormity, and embezzlement of government funds to fund his lavish lifestyle and the acquisition of personal properties such as a palace in Toluvi village worth Rs 5 crore, vast farmland in Niuland, a brick kiln, and so on.

It alleged that despite the president and numerous top staff continually chastising him for his misconduct and abuse of powers and functions, his apathetic attitude persisted, resulting in his impeachment.

Following his impeachment, Isak and his family were released unharmed under the supervision of then-kilo kilonser T Athrong Sangtam.

Later that night, the NSCN-GPRN (Khango) claimed that leaders of some Sumi organizations, including Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF) general secretary Shikuto Zalipu, Thilixu village GB Tokishe, and Western Sumi Hoho president Shikaho Zhimomi, barged into the ceasefire office with the intention of justifying the impeachment decision or diffusing the situation, as stated by them.

Instead, the group accused them of confronting army soldiers on duty and even attempted to seize guns from them during the struggle, forcing the army to take retaliatory measures.
However, the organization issued an unconditional apology for inadvertently hurting the feelings of the NGO leaders present that evening, as well as the Sumi community in general. It also asked Sumi Hoho to reconsider its January 6 resolution.

The group asked all stakeholders to collaborate with the legitimate government as it sought an honorable conclusion to the protracted Naga issue.

Isak Sumi says doors open for reconciliation

Meanwhile, Isak Sumi, co-convenor of the NNPG, claimed that third parties orchestrated the attack, widening the schism between him and Khango.
When asked if there will be a new ‘NSCN-K Isak Sumi’ faction, he stated that it has always been Khango-Isak.

“Khango has been impeached now, our vice president is now acting president,” he said, adding that “Our doors are open for reconciliation. If only Baba Khango responds positively, I will persuade the house, councils and the Tatars, for the sake of Naga unity.”

He also mentioned that he will not pursue vengeance against the orchestrator and has forgiven them and that he expects Khango to comprehend the truth.
However, he is concerned that the orchestrators are preventing him and Khango from communicating.

NTC express shock at rift within NSCN/GPRN-K (Khango), appeal for reconciliation

The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has expressed shock and distraught at what had happened within the NSCN/GPRN-K (Kango) since January 4, 2023, terming it “the contending leadership mêlée that is rolling for all and sundry to see when in their pursuit for the Naga National goal.”

In a press release issued on Monday through its Media Cell, the NTC stated that this is a situation none can meddle but “all can only hope that Naga leaders will with conviction surmount sanctimonious and sententious rhetoric as we use the name of our Lord Jehovah.”

“The NPGs insists for early solution to the vexed Naga political issue based on the concluded talks with the GoI on 31st October 2019, and before the General Election 2023 in Nagaland. The Naga populace is also eagerly awaiting the long cherished and assured political solution to take place soon enough,” the NTC said.

NTC further said that “this is the situation and times” when all concerned have to put enormous effort to respect and love the hard earned peaceful atmosphere for the benefit and growth of our future generation by not jeopardizing what is achieved thus far.”

NTC also said that the expressions for reconciliation have in time been seen as being offered to resolve the issue from both quarters. “The NTC, therefore, would like to appeal to all concerned leadership to seize the opportunity,” it added.

Citing texts from the Bible, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” Colossians 3:13; and “… Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled…” Matthew 5:24, the NTC said, “If Naga leaders are unwilling to be reconciled to own brothers, God will not accept the offerings at the Naga Nation’s altar nor be reconciled with our people. This is the core point of our Lord’s Prayer and nothing can be more pertinent than this in our context.”