DIMAPUR, JUNE 23 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN has stated that the expulsion of SS Khaplang was a “step forward”. Stating that the decision of the National Tatar Hoho is final, a press note from the MIP pointed out that the recent expulsion and impeachment of former Chairman S.S Khaplang both from party and government by the emergency National assembly was to “reaffirm the superiority of the nation over an individual no matter his position or status”.
“On 7th June 2011, there were only two choices before the GPRN/NSCN National Assembly: Whether to choose Chairman S.S Khaplang or the Naga People. The decision of the Tatar Hoho sided with the will of the Naga people and therefore the Tatar Hoho unanimously chose Gen. Khole Konyak, Commander-in-Chief, as the New NSCN Chairman”, the MIP stated.
It was also informed that there “was not a single member who opposed Gen. Khole’s elevation to the Nation’s highest post” and that the “veteran freedom fighter, since the days of NNC, was among the few who vehemently opposed killing among the Naga brothers”. The MIP note also informed that Gen Khole “was instrumental in endorsing GPRN/NSCN’s participation in the highest level meeting at Dimapur on 18th September 2011, which S.S Khaplang ordered not to attend”.
Further it stated that on the eve of the highest level meet of September 18, 2010, there was a statement issued by one P Tikhak to the media on behalf of S.S Khaplang, “withdrawing from the Covenant of Reconciliation (COR) accusing IM group of insincerity”. The MIP while agreeing that there were “violations yet this shocking statement issued by S.S Khaplang from some forest deep in eastern Nagaland was a slap in the face to Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) in particular and the Naga people in general”, the MIP note stated.
Stating that the “will of the people cannot be dictated by one man who is ever elusive and absent from the scene of reconciliation”, it was pointed out that the “esteemed local dailies, as requested by the GPRN/NSCN, were kind enough to hold back the statement till it was corrected and pruned to go with the desire of the Nagas”. It went on to allege that having signed the COR, S.S Khaplang was expected to strengthen Naga peace and reconciliation process but “he threatened to unleash further bloodshed”.
It also alleged that S.S Khaplang had “covertly accepted Burmese junta carrot as seen from the recent election in Nagha areas for the first time and therefore his participation in Naga reconciliation process became impossible”. “Naga people are informed that since he has been expelled and impeached from the party and government, any press statement issued by P Tikhak on behalf of S.S Khaplang should henceforth be regarded as an opinion of discarded leader having no value to the Naga people”, it stated.
The MIP note has also clarified that the nomenclature “GPRN/NSCN is used to avoid confusion with others”. The GPRN/NSCN Chairman Gen. Khole and General Secretary N Kitovi Zhimomi has also assured the Naga people that except for those few who have been expelled, Naga Army and civil authorities are intact and functioning normally both in eastern and western Nagaland. It also clarified that removing S.S Khaplang by the National Assembly for his anti-Naga stance is not a split. “There was, and is, never a question of split in the GPRN/NSCN. The Tatar Hoho only removed a self-righteous leader who was an obstacle to Reconciliation and peace among the Nagas”.
“On 7th June 2011, there were only two choices before the GPRN/NSCN National Assembly: Whether to choose Chairman S.S Khaplang or the Naga People. The decision of the Tatar Hoho sided with the will of the Naga people and therefore the Tatar Hoho unanimously chose Gen. Khole Konyak, Commander-in-Chief, as the New NSCN Chairman”, the MIP stated.
It was also informed that there “was not a single member who opposed Gen. Khole’s elevation to the Nation’s highest post” and that the “veteran freedom fighter, since the days of NNC, was among the few who vehemently opposed killing among the Naga brothers”. The MIP note also informed that Gen Khole “was instrumental in endorsing GPRN/NSCN’s participation in the highest level meeting at Dimapur on 18th September 2011, which S.S Khaplang ordered not to attend”.
Further it stated that on the eve of the highest level meet of September 18, 2010, there was a statement issued by one P Tikhak to the media on behalf of S.S Khaplang, “withdrawing from the Covenant of Reconciliation (COR) accusing IM group of insincerity”. The MIP while agreeing that there were “violations yet this shocking statement issued by S.S Khaplang from some forest deep in eastern Nagaland was a slap in the face to Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) in particular and the Naga people in general”, the MIP note stated.
Stating that the “will of the people cannot be dictated by one man who is ever elusive and absent from the scene of reconciliation”, it was pointed out that the “esteemed local dailies, as requested by the GPRN/NSCN, were kind enough to hold back the statement till it was corrected and pruned to go with the desire of the Nagas”. It went on to allege that having signed the COR, S.S Khaplang was expected to strengthen Naga peace and reconciliation process but “he threatened to unleash further bloodshed”.
It also alleged that S.S Khaplang had “covertly accepted Burmese junta carrot as seen from the recent election in Nagha areas for the first time and therefore his participation in Naga reconciliation process became impossible”. “Naga people are informed that since he has been expelled and impeached from the party and government, any press statement issued by P Tikhak on behalf of S.S Khaplang should henceforth be regarded as an opinion of discarded leader having no value to the Naga people”, it stated.
The MIP note has also clarified that the nomenclature “GPRN/NSCN is used to avoid confusion with others”. The GPRN/NSCN Chairman Gen. Khole and General Secretary N Kitovi Zhimomi has also assured the Naga people that except for those few who have been expelled, Naga Army and civil authorities are intact and functioning normally both in eastern and western Nagaland. It also clarified that removing S.S Khaplang by the National Assembly for his anti-Naga stance is not a split. “There was, and is, never a question of split in the GPRN/NSCN. The Tatar Hoho only removed a self-righteous leader who was an obstacle to Reconciliation and peace among the Nagas”.
