The Naga Army, NSCN-K (Ang Mai led), has taken full responsibility for the killing of Maj. Manwang Leipha of the NSCN-K (Yung Aung) group. The incident occurred on 23 January around 7:30 p.m. at Longphaoh Village, Tizit Area, Mon District, Nagaland.
In a press release, the NSCN-K (AM) stated that despite repeated efforts to promote peace and unity, including the unconditional release of several YA cadres and their seized weapons, the NSCN-K (YA) group responded with hostility. The statement noted that the NSCN-K (YA) group launched a “direct attack” on the Naga Army at Khammataing Village, which resulted in the deaths of two Naga Army cadres, Lieutenant Avi of the Pochury Region and Sergeant Peyao Konyak of the Konyak Region.
“Maj. Manwang Leipha was an active cadre of the YA group and had been continuously involved in hostile activities in that area,” the NSCN-K (AM) said in a press release issued by its MIP. It also claimed to have warned him multiple times to stop his anti-NSCN-K activities and also informed his village authorities, who, according to the statement, failed to restrain him.
“In view of his continued anti NSCN-K activities and in retaliation for the killing of our cadres at Khammataing Village, the Naga Army’s special unit carried out capital punishment against Maj. Manwang Leipha,” the statement read.
NSCN-K (AM) calls for NSCN-K (Yung Aung) cadres to surrender
The NSCN-K (AM) has issued a ‘public notification’ calling on all active members of the NSCN-K (Yung Aung) group to immediately resign and return home following recent clashes and rising tensions. NSCN-K (AM) said that, over the past two to three years, the Naga Army had apprehended several cadres from the Yung Aung group while carrying out its duties but released them unconditionally as a gesture of goodwill in the interest of peace, unity, and reconciliation. The notification said that this restraint “was not born out of weakness, but out of responsibility, a conscious effort to prevent further loss of precious lives and to build trust for lasting peace.”
“Under the guidance of our Collective Leadership, the Naga Army was instructed to uphold patience, promote reconciliation, and extend goodwill under the spirit of “Nagaland for Christ” and “Forgive and Forget,” so that Naga blood would no longer be spilled by Naga hands,” the notification issued by Lieut. Col. Anglu, Defence Secretary, GPRN read.
However, it pointed to the “unprovoked attack” by the NSCN-K (YA) on January 9 at Khammataing Village as the trigger for a necessary defensive response. It clarified that their recent actions are “not acts of aggression or bravado, but necessary defensive retaliation to safeguard lives, order.”
“In view of the above, the Ministry of Defence Affairs, GPRN, hereby issues the following directive to all villages and, in particular, to those currently serving under the Yung Aung group,” the notification read.
The directive stated that ”All sons and daughters actively serving under the Yung Aung group are directed to immediately resign from active duty and return home within the stipulated period.” It added that failure to comply shall be regarded as “willful defiance and dealt with accordingly.”
“Cadres already arrested shall face stern military action as deemed fit. However, those who voluntarily surrender shall be welcomed and suitably rewarded,” it further said.
The notification also warned that no Civil Society Organizations or individuals are allowed to interfere during the enforcement of NSCN/GPRN law and order. “Any such actions will not be entertained, and those involved shall also be held accountable,” it added.
In closing, the statement made an earnest appeal to parents and guardians to bring their loved ones back home before the situation escalates further, leading to irreversible consequences.
The statement concluded with an appeal to parents and guardians to call back their “sons and daughters before the situation escalates further and irreversible consequences follow.”
