Nagaland: Major rift within Khango-led NSCN (K)

In a major development, which has the potential of complicating the fate of the Naga political issue vis-à-vis solution, the Khango-led NSCN (K) faction was plunged into a serious crisis when an emergency meeting of the council of kilonsers, tatars, secretariat staff, army officers party functionaries condemned the faction’s president ‘lt.gen’Khango Konyak for his “unconstitutional and highhanded act” of impeaching the ato kilonser and general secretary ‘col’(retd) Isak Sumi.
It may be mentioned that ‘Col’(retd) Isak Sumi is the representative of the faction as co-convenor of WC,NNPGs during various negotiations with the government of India.
Khango had earlier also “expelled” Isak Sumi, but the two leaders later reconciled and signed “deed of reconciliation” on September 20, 2020 following the intervention of WC NNPGs and civil society leaders.
In the latest impeachment ahza, Khango said Isak was found guilty of “grabbing absolute control of powers and functions without the concern of collective leadership, non-distribution of powers and fucntions, nepotism and exposing self style one man government policy”, which were described as “completely in violation of the Yezahbo and discipline.”
Khango had discharged Isak and removed all his power and duties with effect from January 4, 2023 and also cease to be a member of NSCN/GPRN-K and that “the organisation shall not be responsible for any of his actions hereafter.”
‘Null and void’
Following the impeachment, a joint emergency meeting was convened with “overwhelming quorum” of the council of kiloners led by home kilonser; tatar hoho led by speaker and with more than two thirds of the “government” and party functionaries who resolved to declare the impeachment order of the president “null and void immediately.”
The house noted that the president had issued impeachment of ato kilonser on January 4, 2023 without obtaining the approval and recommendation of the council of kilonsers or the tatar hoho and also without acquiring two thirds majority of the party workers at the “behest of few rogue elements.” The joint meeting warned that in the event of the failure on the part of the president to nullify the impeachment order, the house “unanimously” resolved to impeach the president with immediate effect.
WC, NNPGs back Isak
WC, NNPGs led by its convener N Kitovi Zhimomi also held an emergency meeting where it has resolved that NSCN/GPRN-K president Khango Konyak “must immediately revoke his unilateral, arbitrary and unconstitutional order”. Kitovi also warned that failing to do so will result in Kahnago having “ no space in the WC, NNPGs.”
The committee also resolved that Isak Sumi continues to be the “legitimate and mandated” co-convenor of the WC, NNPGs and “therefore even if Isak is alone we will stand by him.”