Neiphiu Rio and Dr. Liezietsu mourn demise of Khaplang

Dimapur, June 10 (EMN): The Member of the Lok Sabha from Nagaland Neiphiu Rio and chief minister of Nagaland Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu have issued messages of condolence following the demise of NSCN (Khaplang) Chairman KK Khaplang recently.

The member of Parliament and the chief minister issued separate condolence messages on Saturday.

In his message, Neiphiu Rio expressed sadness to have heard about the demise of Khaplang and stated that the people had lost a “great patriot, a legendary personality and one of our tallest leaders.” Terming him a person ‘who made every possible sacrifice for the cause of his people and stood up for his people till his last breath,’ Rio stated that the sacrifice and suffering ‘which leaders like him made during the most difficult time of our history can never really be comprehended by the present generation.’

“It is because of leaders like him that the rights of our people have been protected for the present and future generations. The sacrifices they made ensured respect for our people, protection of our history and culture,” the former chief minister stated.

“In my interactions with him in the past, I have found him to be a leader who was keen to bring peace and political solution. He deeply cared for his people and never compromised his stand and principle.”

Further, calling his demise the end of an era, Rio stated that the Naga people will “forever remember and acknowledge his contributions and sacrifices” and that his death was a ‘great loss for all of us and we will miss one of the most respected father figures of our society.’

Amid the mourning though, Neiphiu Rio urged all in concern to ‘rededicate ourselves towards the cause of unity and work united for the achievement of real and genuine peace for our people.’

“I hope and pray that his followers will join the Panglong Peace Conference to bring about an honourable and acceptable solution to our people. I convey my deepest condolences to all members of the bereaved family and all his near and dear ones. I also pray to Almighty God to let the departed soul rest in peace,” Rio added.

Likeiwse, Chief Minister Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu called it tragic that an important Naga leader like Khaplang had expired “considering the fact that the protracted Naga political problem is on the verge of being resolved, and the need for all different Naga political groups to come together to air our views and aspirations to the government of India in one voice is absolutely imperative.”

After the group abrogated the ceasefire with the Government of India in 2015, the chief minister stated, the government of Nagaland, in consultation with the government of India, had been “sending delegations to meet the NSCN (K) leadership in Myanmar in recent times to convince the group to re-enter into the peace process with the government of India to find an early solution to the Naga political problem.”

The chief minister called it “encouraging” to have learned that Khaplang had, a few months ago, “conveyed his willingness to have dialogue” with the government provided “issues of substance” were discussed.

However, Dr. Liezietsu stated, before things could be taken forward “to its logical conclusion,” the Naga leader could not live long enough “to see the proverbial Promised Land.”

The chief minister has appealed to the people to resolve and dedicate to endeavouring with renewed vigour and determination to find a solution to the Naga political problem “which is honourable and acceptable to all stakeholders; and that this protracted problem be resolved during our lifetime and not to bequeath it to the future generations.”

In memory of the departed leader who the chief minister stated had dedicated all his life to the cause of the Naga people, Dr. Liezietsu stated: ‘let all Naga people dedicate ourselves to strive for peace, harmony and well-being of the entire Naga family so that we and our children can march ahead with the rest of the world as equals in the 21st century and for ever more.’

In behalf of the government and the people of Nagaland, the chief minister conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed that the Almighty grant them solace and comfort at this hour of grief.

“May the Almighty lift up the light of His countenance upon the departed soul and give him peace, now and for ever,” Dr Liezietsu added.