Dimapur, January 17 (MExN): The Eastern Konyak Union (EKU) issued an appeal for peace and an immediate end to hostilities between factions of Naga political groups, following reported armed clashes in the Eastern Nagaland region.
In a statement issued on Saturday, EKU President, PM Aman, and General Secretary, K Akham Howang expressed “deep sorrow” over fighting that erupted on January 9 and January 12 in the Pangsaung and Nanyun areas near Khammatine village, as reported by the Tangshang Naga Students' Union (TNSU). The EKU condemned the incidents as “unfortunate” and a disturbing failure of leadership.
“It is the devils plans and our Naga national Workers groups leaders failed to understand the devils intentioned for hatred towards (their) own brotherhood,” the union stated. The EKU extended its solidarity with affected communities and conveyed its condolences to the families of Lieutenant Avi Pochury and Sergeant Peyao Konyak, who were killed in the clashes. The union also prayed for the speedy recovery of the severely injured.
“Those lives lost were unfortunate in the name of the Naga national cause, killed by Nagas themselves,” EKU noted, appealing to all groups to “restrain retaliation intention in the public area and within (their) own Naga brothers.”
The union questioned the internal conflict, stating, “If Naga National workers are working for Naga self-determination, why are they fighting within the Naga Army? If we cannot unite, how can we gain Sovereignty?”
Calling for serious introspection, the EKU urged Naga national worker leaders to “start assessment for the Naga National movement” and to erase “hatred, fighting, alleging, backbiting and hide and seek games within the Naga groups.”
The statement emphasised that the public has “suffered enough” and that continued infighting only weakens the Naga cause and population. It pleaded for leaders to prioritize public peace and development through dialogue, cautioning that “attacking with mortar weapons to one another will not bring any solution.”
The EKU concluded with a prayerful appeal to all Naga leaders to refrain from internal conflict and to avoid the “devil's traps” of division. It expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Eastern Nagaland, citing severe killings and worsening conditions caused by internal Naga strife. This persists, the EKU noted, despite ongoing efforts for Naga reconciliation across all Naga-inhabited areas.
It stated that innocent people are left confused by the ideological divisions among Nagas, which have led to internal fighting “like a world war” and public instigation in front of the international community. Highlighting public distress, the EKU said, “Public are facing unwanted situation year by year, public are crying by seeing the military activities in the public domain.”
