Splits in NSCN-K post Khaplang’s demise : An in-depth look

Following the passing of SS Khaplang, the founder of NSCN-K, on 9 June 2017, Khango Konyak assumed leadership of the organization, marking a significant transition. Khaplang’s demise, occurring at around 77 years of age in Myanmar’s Taga region, prompted Konyak, a prominent figure from the Konyak Naga tribe in Nagaland’s Mon District, to take charge.

On 20 June 2017, Konyak officially became the ‘chairman/president’ of the ‘Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland (GPRN)’ and was also elected as the new chairman of the United National Liberation Front of West South-East Asia (UNLFWESA), solidifying his influence regionally.

However, Konyak’s rise faced external pressures, including purported Chinese involvement aimed at deterring NSCN-K from engaging in peace talks with India. Despite this, civil society groups in Nagaland intensified calls for NSCN-K to return to negotiations, signaling a desire for regional stability.

Meanwhile, on 10 July 2018, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove the terrorist label from NSCN-K and initiate peace talks, echoing sentiments among various Naga tribes for conflict resolution.

Tensions further escalated as the Myanmar Army launched operations against NSCN-K camps on 25 July 2018. Isak Sumi of NSCN-K, in a Facebook post, reported a temporary resolution in the standoff, with the Naga Army making a tactical withdrawal but ensuring safety upon re-entrenchment.

NSCN K’s first split after Khaplang’s demise

However, reports emerging from Sagaing Region, Myanmar indicated a rift within the NSCN-K, marked by the detention of ‘chairman’ Khango Konyak by Myanmar military authorities. According to sources close to the outfit, Myanmar military’s regional commander in Sagaing barred Konyak from leaving Hukawng Valley since July, purportedly to monitor his movements closely. Angang, a member of the NSCN-K’s central committee, disclosed concerns over Konyak’s safety, asserting that the military’s actions aim to restrict his movements and maintain surveillance. This development followed a period of internal strife within the NSCN-K.

On 17 August 2018, NSCN-K issued a press release announcing the election of Yung Aung as the new ‘acting chairman,’ concurrently impeaching Lt. Gen. Khango Konyak for alleged violations of party principles.

Though the major reason for Khango Konyak’s removal from the chairman’s post was the apparent growing difference between the Indian and Myanmarese Naga leaders of the outfit after Khaplang’s demise, it was alleged that the outfit under Khango Konyak had failed to act on the ground. The press release also added that the impeachment of Khango Konyak became necessary to save the party from further breakdown and confusion.

Then, by 14 September 2018, reports highlighted dissatisfaction among NSCN-K members regarding Konyak’s impeachment, leading to a deeper schism between Indian and Myanmar-origin leaders within the faction. This rift fueled speculations of NSCN-K’s potential re-engagement in peace talks with the Government of India (GoI), as tensions simmered both internally and externally.

Khango Konyak’s removal paved the way for Yung Aung, a 45-year-old Hemi Naga from Myanmar and nephew of SS Khaplang, to assume leadership. With over 300 NSCN-K cadres allegedly expressing willingness to sign a ceasefire agreement, prospects for reconciliation gained traction amidst deliberations within the GoI.

Efforts to facilitate Konyak’s return to Nagaland were underway, with the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton, indicating ongoing discussions with NSCN-K leadership. Amidst these developments, Kango reaffirmed its commitment to exploring avenues for peace and political dialogue with the GoI, signaling a potential shift in its approach.

According to MIP Kilonser Isak Sumi, Khango Konyak remained the legitimate ‘chairman’ and ‘president’ of NSCN/GPRN despite the “failed coup attempts by handful of kilonsers, deputy kilonsers and middle ranking ‘Naga Army officers’” all belonging to Pangmi tribe. NSCN-K alleged that the “renegades” at the instigation of Meitei underground groups and United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) without acquiring even a quarter of the quorum arbitrarily imposed the impeachment. Sumi also stated that the coup was executed to reap the benefit of the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in Myanmar.

On 5 October, chairman Khango Konyak appointed Isak Sumi as the group’s new ‘general secretary’ with a focus to start a political dialogue which the NSCN-K had abrogated from ceasefire in 2015. Meanwhile, on 23 October, NSCN-K under Yung Aung’s leadership, appointed Nikki Sumi as its commander in chief.

Khango Konyak accused Yung Aung of relinquishing the ‘Naga sovereign rights by ceding to Myanmar Union consequent of signing the NCA’ in October.

The Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) was a ceasefire agreement between the government of Myanmar and representatives of various ethnic insurgent groups, officially known as “ethnic armed organisations” (EAOs) by the government on 15 October 2015. However, NSCN-K did not sign the agreement.

“The Naga did not sign the first 1947 Panglong Agreement and the current NCA is a transformed structure of the 1947 Panglong. The reason is that we want to get our own independence. The Naga [people] will fight until their last breath,” the NSCN-K said. “Thus we don’t have to sign [the NCA]. This agreement is not for the Naga [ethnic group]. The Myanmar government put a lot of trust in India and that is their biggest mistake.” NSCN-K PRO can be quoted saying on 5 June 2019.

Khango faction highlighted a clause in the NCA stipulating that signatories cannot secede from the Myanmar Union, thereby precluding any discussion of independence. The statement also claimed that Pangmi workers, ever since the formation of NSCN, had always been resentful of the NSCN leadership by the west Nagas.

“Their inherent timidity, short-sightedness and narrow tribalism had always been the bone of contention that resulted in the successive splits of NSCN and recurring fratricides,” the statement said.

It alleged that “Despite having been sustained solely by the resources pooled from the West Nagaland, the Pangmi workers were extremely covetous and never allowed the west Nagas to spearhead the Naga struggle, their envy and dubious nature induced them to expel the west Nagas from their inhabited areas for the fourth time during the 38 years of NSCN existence.”

Konyak’s faction on 6 December 2019 announced its decision to retract the unilateral abrogation of the ceasefire agreement and participate in peace talks with the GoI. Aligning with the Working Committee (WC) of NNPGs, Konyak and ‘general secretary’ Colonel (Retired) Isak Sumi formalized their role as partners in ongoing political negotiations with the GoI through a jointly signed ‘deed agreement’ on 29 January 2020.

Meanwhile, on 5 August 2019, the NSCN-K promoted Yung Aung from his interim position as ‘acting chairman/president’ to the post of ‘chairman/president,’ signifying a significant development within the faction’s leadership hierarchy.

2nd Split within NSCN-K

In July 2020, the NSCN-K based in Myanmar underwent yet another split, resulting in the formation of two distinct factions. During a plenary meeting convened by one faction, incumbent chairman Yung Aung was swiftly removed from his position. Under the chairmanship of the Lt Gen Niki Sumi, the entire civil and military wings unanimously elected Nyemlang Konyak Naga as chairman and Starson Lamkang Naga as ato kilonser of the NSCN/GPRN.

Sumi asserted that these appointments were imperative due to Yung Aung’s blatant violation of the NSCN/GPRN’s constitution. Aung was accused of clandestinely collaborating with the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) to undermine Naga sovereign rights, without consulting the concerned officials of the NSCN/GPRN.

In response, the NSCN-K led by Aung expelled Niki Sumi, Nyemlang Konyak Naga and Starson Lamkang Naga for organising “illegal meetings” without authorization from the party, failing to report to the council headquarters despite repeated callings, heavy misappropriation of party funds, and encouraging and spreading “isms” and “divisive policies” within the party.
On 25 December, 53 cadres aligned with Nikki Sumi reportedly “surrendered” in Phek District.

3rd Split within NSCN-K

The Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang-Yung Aung [NSCN-K(YA)] further experienced a split on 27 June 2023, resulting in two factions emerging with Yung Aung leading one group and ‘Major General (Rtd)’ Ang Mai taking charge of the newly formed faction from the Tangshang Region.

However, Ang Mai was among the five leaders expelled by Yung Aung in November 2019 because they encouraged the group to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) while in custody. The ousted members include the Home Affairs Minister and retired Major General Angmai, Religious Affairs Minister U Kyaw Wan Sein, Forestry Minister U An Kam (also known as Angkan), Central Council member U Saw Htin, and Naga army lieutenant colonel Aung Sai.

The five jailed members were sacked “for their continuous effort to propagate and encourage the signing of the NCA, which is completely against the political principles of the party,” the NSCN-K said in a 2019 statement.

Thus, on 2 July, the NSCN-K(YA) rejected the claims of the creation of a new faction for some of the expelled cadres of the outfit stating, “The NSCN/GPRN categorically rejects the formation of a new faction by the expelled former members Mr Angmai and Mr Langnyei. It is a huge disappointment that these expelled members have chosen to embark on the path of violence and bloodshed despite the best effort and repeated appeal from the public.”

Mokokchung Times