Is NSCN for all Nagas without boundary? ask Konyaks in Myanmar

DIMAPUR— Just days after the Yung Aung-led NSCN (K) split further, the eastern Konyak (Myanmar) people have expressed dismay over the formation of new faction, terming it “problematic” and accusing Naga leaders of undermining the sacrifices of the people in the region for the common Naga cause.

The Yung Aung-led NSCN (K) split recently with the new group led by Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Ang Mai. It was preceded by gunfights between the cadres at General Headquarters (GHQ) and Council Headquarters (CHQ), which was condemned by the Konyak Union Myanmar (KUM).

A press release issued on behalf of eastern Konyak (Myanmar) people, by K Akham Honwang, General Secretary of Konyak Union (Myanmar), said that the public is fed up of rendering services for the Naga national movement since 1950s in vain.

It said that every village in the region has been freely rendering “special duty” for the Naga cause on a “rotation system” in the form of providing food, setting up of camps, carrying materials to various destinations, etc. as past leaders vowed to bring sovereignty for Nagas and “full independence” one day.

Many generations have passed, it lamented, adding that public has been bearing the brunt of “ugly joint operation” against the Naga national movement by the Myanmar and Indian armies without any reason, as well as factional clashes between the Naga political groups (NPGs).

Public leaders were threatened, tortured and even killed by Naga national workers when people were unable to provide services to them. Many have been facing untold suffering in the hands of Myanmar and Indian military, while the aged people and kids find difficult to survive due to arson acts and “chasing away” of people from the villages, it stated highlighting the sufferings of the public.

Speaking on behalf of the eastern Konyak people, the Konyak Union (Myanmar) leader accused the Naga leaders of not recognising the sacrifices of the common Nagas despite tirelessly and selflessly serving the Naga nation without differentiating tribes, states and countries.

He asked if the NSCN/GPRN is only for the Nagas of Nagaland state or for all Naga people without boundary. Does Nagaland for Christ stand for peace or for killing each other and to be merciless on innocent lives?

He also sought to know if the “Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland” represents the public and accepts their voices or ‘work in a self-style manner/hideous rule for the public’.

The public is confused and saddened by the recent developments but have realised that most of the leaders want to eliminate the past for personal wealth, position and power, instead of working for common people and without borders, he added.

Root cause of split

Most Naga leaders don’t respect each other, try to form their own groups for top leadership and expose internal issues in public instead of resolving within the group, said the Konyak Union (Myanmar) leader.

While lamenting the lack of forgiveness among the leaders, he claimed that even cadres want to form their own groups, favour those who are financially sound, and ‘instigate each another to become opponent within leadership’ for wealth; when a cadre defects to another group, penalty is imposed on the people belonging to the village of the person. This is the root cause of split among the NPGs, he said, adding that public is also aware of such tricks.

‘Factional leaders are debating and insulting one another like wanted enemies,’ read the press release, adding that they are “giving up the past struggles for the Naga cause”.

Reminding the priceless sacrifices of the past and contributions of both the national workers and public towards the common cause, it said the public wants to see unity among the Naga leaders and bring peace and development to the public.