Deputy Kilonser for Home Affairs NSCN (K), Wangtin Naga was born as Wangtin Konyak on 7/7/1970 to Mr. Yeamwang Konyak, a humble agriculturist of Phoktong village Mon District. He did his primary and middle schooling at Phoktong and Tizit Govt schools. Then he joined Govt High School Mon for high school and matriculated there. He did P.U at Wangkhao College Mon and later graduated (Political Science Hons’) from Patkai Christian College. He finished post graduation (Pol/Science) from NEHU Shillong.
He first served as a Govt Primary School Teacher at Zakho Village under Tizit in 1989, then as PA to ADC Tizit in 1991. He also was BDO from June 1991 to 1997 July within Mon, Phomching, Thenoknyu and Tizit Blocks. Then he resigned from govt services in August 1 1997 and decided to work through the platform of NGOs.
At first, he was Joint /Secy Konyak Union Tizit Unit in 1997; Gen/Secy KU Tizit Unit 1998 to 2000; Gen/Secy KU Mon Unit, 2000 to 2003. Gen/Secy KU Apex Body 2004 to 2005 and shifted to the cause of National Struggle. Besides, he was also Gen/Secy Administration DCC (I) Mon from 2002 to 2005 and APMC Member from 2003 to 2005.
On being asked why he left govt services and later NGOs to join the national struggle, he had these answers to offer. He recollected that even SS Khaplang had invited him to join NSCK (K) in 1999. He met the Chairman at the Council Headquarter in October 1999 and explained to him his inability as he was very much interested to become a legislator or an NGO leader then.
He said that as an NGO leader he was very much involved in bringing unification and reconciliation of the two factions but he confessed he failed due to arrogance and pride of presently called I.K leaders, particularly, the Tangkhuls. But his endeavors as NGO leader had not gone in vain. He claimed that his team had achieved in persuading NSCK (K) leaders in declaring Cease-Fire towards NSCK (IM) right from 1998 to 2004 as an effort in bringing the two factions closer. He believed that the Naga issue is ‘sovereignty and not factional killing and murdering of leaders’ but our leaders failed to understand the real issue.
Observing the implementations and policies of the NSCN (IM), he felt that they had less concern for the Nagas since most of them are from other states. This led to the killings of so many innocent Nagas and national leaders, he added. This, he confirmed by stating that he, as an NGO leader, had personally picked up 14 dead bodies of innocent Konyaks murdered by NSCN (IM).
He also felt so sorry when he learned the murders of Naga nationalist leaders by (IM) group such as, Late. Tali Mungru, Ato Kilonser, Topu Kevichusa Ato Kilonser NNC, General Povezu NNC, General Lemchu NNC, etc, etc.. “The system of murdering great and genuine Naga heroes by the I/K group under the command of Tangkhul leaders shocked and grieved me so extremely that it transformed my whole being, my life and also inspired me to join NSCN (K).” he expresses.
Now, after joining the national Struggle he declares to all Nagas that his first task will be the unification and reconciliation of all different Naga factions. The murder of his master, Late Ngampan Konyak Kilonser for Education, and the present Naga situation have brought deep sorrow and agony to his soul but still he prays to the leaders to unite themselves for the good future of the Nagas.
But he has a deep conviction that the secret mission of I/K group under the patronage of Tangkhul leaders murdered his master which only added more fuel to the fire burning inside him. He declares that he is in a sound position to easily crush I/K leaderships not only inside Nagaland but also outside by mobilizing the NSCN Allied ULFA and UNLF, but says that his moral conscience does not permit him to do so. Besides, during the early part of 2006, NSCN (K) army of about 49 cadres reached Lakhoti Village (Lotha Region) where I/K 2nd Rank leader, Khodao Yanthan was staying and could have easily taken him. But the cadres sought the command of the leaders for the course of action to which we only advised them not to do him any harm on the grounds that though he (Khodao) is an I/K puppet, yet he is a Naga leader. This is the working of NSCN (K) he asserted unlike I/K. Now he is contented that the NSCN collective leaders proposed him to the post of Dy/ Kilonser for Home Affairs and accordingly, had assigned him the post. He says that now his duty is to serve the nation without any reservation provided, it serves the nation’s purpose. He shall deliver justice to the nation and shall continuously work for peace in Nagaland which is the sole demand of the Nagas.
And on the question of why he altered his name from “Wangtin Konyak” to “Wangtin Naga,” he explains. “Many Naga leaders say that they are for the nation and yet they glorify their respective community and even their own clan by using the titles etc, but contrary to that I don’t wish to identify myself along tribal lines. Therefore, I changed my name because after committing myself to our nation’s cause, I am no longer for Konyak tribe alone but for the Nagas as a whole. People should not look at me as a Konyak but as a Naga patriot.”
(As told to Minphong Konyak, Press Assistant of Shansham Organization, Mon)
