Reacting to the statement issued by NSCN (K) kilonser MIP, ‘col.’ Isak Sumi, the rival group- NSCN/GPRN MIP in-charge ‘maj.’ Joseph Lamkang claimed that the impeachment of former chairman ‘lt. gen.’ (retd) Khango was done according to the party formalities, which was consented and endorsed by all member of the NSCN/GPRN.
Lamkang alleged that some “self-vested individuals and Indian-backed agents within the party”, taking advantage of the situation, had sided with Khango to use him for “their selfish dreams and to work for the enemy”. He also stated that have also been automatically terminated from the party with immediate effect. Lamkang said that since the traitors had no agenda, the statement by rival group claiming legitimacy of the impeached chairman was completely baseless, null and void. He said the statement was aimed to tarnish the party’s image, confuse and divide the Nagas and also to create misunderstanding between fraternal revolutionary parties of WESEA.
Lamkang claimed that the NSCN/GPRN under the new leadership and all WESEA parties based at “base-area” were fully intact. “NSCN/GPRN re-pledge ourselves before God and to the people to continue the Naga freedom struggle, and will not tolerate anti-national elements conniving with the enemy to demean the struggle,” it stated. The group appealed to Nagas in particular and the people of WESEA “to be alert and not to be confused with baseless statements and allegations in the near future.”