DIMAPUR, July 15 (MExN): A senior national worker Lt. Gen. Neokpao Konyak Naga Army has demanded explanation from SS Khaplang on a number of issues related to the Indo-Naga political struggle. A press note issued by him has demanded an explanation from “expelled chairman S.S Khaplang, as to whose advice and information he sought when” he (Lt Gen Neokpao) and two of his subordinate Naga Army officers, namely Lt. Col. Shamlao Konyak, Lt. Col. Shellen Konyak, were served with discharge orders. “Neither I nor my subordinate officers will be victims of destructive politics played by young people to fulfil their own ambitions”, stated the press note.
Let Gen Neokpao mentioned that S.S Khaplang has been “swallowed by the politics of young people who frequently trekked into Burma to meet him” and that he “was fooled by men whose hearts were ruled by personal ambition instead of Naga national spirit”. The statement also clarified to the Naga people that NSCN entered into a Ceasefire with the Government of India(GOI) in 2001 due to the initiative and wisdom of NSCN General Secretary N Kitovi Zhimomi and the then Commander-in-Chief Gen. Khole Konyak.
“From the initial ground works to till the signing of the ceasefire agreement, I categorically state that S.S Khaplang, a mere constitutional head, never really made any effort to involve himself in the mutually agreed ceasefire between NSCN and Indian government. All diplomatic and military strategies are planned and briefed to us only through General Secretary N. Kitovi Zhimomi and Commander-in-Chief Gen. Khole Konyak”, the press note stated.
Pointing out that ceasefire area coverage between “NSCN and GOI do not suggest anything to give any credit to S.S Khaplang”, according to Let Gen Neokpao, S.S Khaplang is more concerned about the formation of Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front (IBRF) “which foolishly equates the 60 year old Naga freedom struggle with neighbouring armed groups whose demands are primarily improvement of social and economic conditions of their peoples”.
Stating that the “NSCN has high regards for all struggling peoples in the region yet facts of history must be accepted by both friends and foes”. Also he stated that from the “practical ground, solution to the Naga political issue can never be expected from S.S Khaplang and therefore the decision of the NSCN National Assembly to impeach and expel S.S Khaplang is a correct decision”.
Lt. General Neokpao Konyak declared that he will “continue serving the Naga Nation under all circumstances” and that he “shall not waver from the Naga National aspiration”. “I shall not betray my people and till my last breath, I shall fight to salvage Naga homeland”, he stated while also pointing out that “every single Naga, whether a civil worker, a soldier or a simple public, in one way or another, has invested in the Indo-Naga political struggle”.
Lt Gen. Neokpao also informed that he had joined the Naga national movement in 1971 and having sworn an oath of allegiance not once but thrice in the last 40 years, he had “served the Naga nation to the best of my ability with utmost commitment and revolutionary zeal”. He was assigned as 3rd Brigade Commander, Naga Army, in 2009 and till today he is discharging his duties, the press note stated.
Let Gen Neokpao mentioned that S.S Khaplang has been “swallowed by the politics of young people who frequently trekked into Burma to meet him” and that he “was fooled by men whose hearts were ruled by personal ambition instead of Naga national spirit”. The statement also clarified to the Naga people that NSCN entered into a Ceasefire with the Government of India(GOI) in 2001 due to the initiative and wisdom of NSCN General Secretary N Kitovi Zhimomi and the then Commander-in-Chief Gen. Khole Konyak.
“From the initial ground works to till the signing of the ceasefire agreement, I categorically state that S.S Khaplang, a mere constitutional head, never really made any effort to involve himself in the mutually agreed ceasefire between NSCN and Indian government. All diplomatic and military strategies are planned and briefed to us only through General Secretary N. Kitovi Zhimomi and Commander-in-Chief Gen. Khole Konyak”, the press note stated.
Pointing out that ceasefire area coverage between “NSCN and GOI do not suggest anything to give any credit to S.S Khaplang”, according to Let Gen Neokpao, S.S Khaplang is more concerned about the formation of Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front (IBRF) “which foolishly equates the 60 year old Naga freedom struggle with neighbouring armed groups whose demands are primarily improvement of social and economic conditions of their peoples”.
Stating that the “NSCN has high regards for all struggling peoples in the region yet facts of history must be accepted by both friends and foes”. Also he stated that from the “practical ground, solution to the Naga political issue can never be expected from S.S Khaplang and therefore the decision of the NSCN National Assembly to impeach and expel S.S Khaplang is a correct decision”.
Lt. General Neokpao Konyak declared that he will “continue serving the Naga Nation under all circumstances” and that he “shall not waver from the Naga National aspiration”. “I shall not betray my people and till my last breath, I shall fight to salvage Naga homeland”, he stated while also pointing out that “every single Naga, whether a civil worker, a soldier or a simple public, in one way or another, has invested in the Indo-Naga political struggle”.
Lt Gen. Neokpao also informed that he had joined the Naga national movement in 1971 and having sworn an oath of allegiance not once but thrice in the last 40 years, he had “served the Naga nation to the best of my ability with utmost commitment and revolutionary zeal”. He was assigned as 3rd Brigade Commander, Naga Army, in 2009 and till today he is discharging his duties, the press note stated.
