Mokokchung, 1 July (MTNews): The NSCN-K Yung Aung-led faction has experienced a significant split, leading to the emergence of a splinter group. The newly formed faction has elected Ang Mai, the former personal secretary of Late SS Khaplang, as its new Chairman, according to a release issued by the NSCN-K.
The rift within the NSCN-K Yung Aung faction emerged in April, stemming from differences between Yung Aung and the Naga Army of the faction. The Naga Army decided not to work under Yung Aung’s leadership, citing concerns over lack of transparency and alleged misappropriation of funds.
The Naga Army claimed to be unaware of the details of the ceasefire agreement signed between the NSCN and the Government of Myanmar in 2012. They raised questions about the Myanmar government’s sanctioning of developmental activities, including the allocation of 45 licensed vehicles, which they were supposedly unaware of.
Furthermore, the Naga Army alleged that a significant quantity of arms and ammunition was seized without the knowledge of the officers, which were allegedly sent by the Myanmar army. They also highlighted a decay in the administration system following the death of Chairman SS Khaplang in 2017.
The Naga Army accused the Yung Aung leadership of misappropriating funds and expressed ignorance regarding foreign aid received by the faction. They also claimed that Yung Aung had held meetings with other NSCN factions without their knowledge, and that he had refused to meet with the 16 tribes of western Nagaland and the state government.
The Naga Army emphasized that a misunderstanding had arisen between the people of Eastern Nagaland and the NSCN-K Yung Aung faction, contributing to the ongoing dispute. As a result of the widening divide, the NSCN-K Yung Aung faction expelled three senior leaders from the group, further solidifying the split.
Consequently, Ang Mai, the former personal secretary of Late SS Khaplang and also once the home minister to the Khaplang faction, assumed the position of Chairman of the NSCN-K faction after being officially elected by the splinter group on 27 June.
Timeline of the events as per Maj. Gen. Langyei Konyak
According to the press release issued by Maj. Gen. Langyei Konyak, due to the deteriorating and mal-administration of the government, the Naga Army, led by Maj. Gen. Langnyei, dispatched meeting information letters to all Naga Army Unit commanders, instructing them to gather at the General Headquarters (GHQ) on 5 April 2023. However, Yung Aung criticized the meeting as a ‘factional meeting’ and prevented some Naga Army officers from attending.
In response, on 10 April 2023, the Naga Army meeting continued and deposed Yung Aung from the chairmanship of the party. The decision to remove Yung Aung was attributed to his alleged anti-national and anti-party activities, which were considered “totally against the Yezhabo of the NSCN/GPRN”.
Following the deposition of Yung Aung, the press release claimed that the NSCN/GPRN government had been administered by the Naga Army until 27 June 2023. On this day, a crucial emergency meeting was held at the GHQ, where both civil and military officers unanimously elected Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Ang Mai from Tangshang Region as the new Chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland.
Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Ang Mai, aged 50, previously served as the personal secretary of the late SS Khaplang, and has also held various important positions, including Home Minister and other military assignments.
The press release concluded by urging all Naga people to extend their cooperation and contribute their valuable services under the leadership of Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Ang Mai. It emphasized the need to continue the Naga National struggle, following in the footsteps of the late Baba SS Khaplang, a revered figure who played a crucial role in the movement.
