KOHIMA: Twelve armed cadres from the Myanmar-based faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Khaplang (NSCN-K) have joined the ranks of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland/Greater Naga People’s Republic (NSCN/GPRN-R).
Led by self-styled Major General Tingkam Konyak and Brigadier Tampha Konyak, the official programme to welcome these officers and cadres into the NSCN/R fold was held at the council headquarters (CHQ) in Pinhang, Tizit, a statement issued by the NSCN/R revealed on Saturday.
NSCN/GPRN (R) President Y Wangtin Naga and Ato Kilonser P Tikhak expressed their profound happiness and extended their gratitude to the officers and cadres for their decision to join the NSCN/GPRN (R). They warmly welcomed all new members into the organisation.
In response, Major General Tingkam and Brigadier Tampha expressed their faith in the leadership of NSCN/GPRN (R) and vowed to work with renewed zeal and determination for the Naga national cause. They appreciated the opportunity given to them and expressed their commitment to contributing to the collective goal.
They also expressed concern about the ongoing conflicts among Naga factions in Myanmar. They termed it as highly disturbing and unhelpful to any group or faction. They held that these internal conflicts sent the wrong signal to the outside world and urged both factions to stop the senseless violence immediately.
“The leaders in both the camps must understand that they are becoming more directionless with each factional clash and are only ridiculing the Naga cause. We appeal to both the warring factions to come to their senses and stop the senseless killing immediately and prevent further loss of life and suffering of the Naga people in Myanmar,” they were quoted as saying by the local press.
This development follows a similar move in September when 26 armed cadres from NSCN-K led by self-styled Brigadier Pholai Ponglaham had joined NSCN (R) in Arunachal Pradesh. Their decision to join the NSCN (R) has been seen as a significant step towards achieving unity and strengthening the Naga movement.
Earlier in April, the Centre had announced a one-year extension of the ceasefire agreement with three Naga factions – NSCN-NK, NSCN-R, and NSCN-K-Khango. According to the Home Ministry, the truce with NSCN/NK and NSCN/R will span till April 27, 2024.
