Jul 22, 2011

Nagaland: NSCN Khaplang Splits

            A split in the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) faction the second largest militant Naga group came about on June 7, 2011, when ironically in a meeting of a faction of the group the ‘Chairman,’ Khaplang  was, ‘expelled.’ Two factions have now emerged; one led by ‘General’ Khole Konyak, until now the group’s ‘commander-in-chief’, as the new chairman and a second by Khaplang himself.  The Khole Konyak faction is based in Kehoi camp near Dimapur in Nagaland while the Konyak faction is in Myanmar. The Khole Konyak faction claims that S.S. Khaplang was against Naga reconciliation process initiated by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and had of late become highly uncommunicative.

Meanwhile a number of leaders are joining either of the two factions. The so called finance kilonser, Kughalu Mulatonu has joined the group’s Myanmar-based chairman, S.S. Khaplang. Self-styled major general Niki Sumi of the outfit’s military wing has remained with Khaplang. The Amammcht Region (Chandel) of the outfit said that the region is also supporting Khaplang. The cadres of Arunachal Naga liberation front (ANLF) led by “commander-in-chief” “capt.” Hanglon Nocte and general secretary Sepkam Lungphi, reportedly merged with NSCN Khaplang on June 19. Given these developments, the Khaplang faction seems to be having an advantage and claims to control parts of Nagaland, Manipur, Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. In case the Khole Konyak faction is marginalized it may join the NSCN IM.

            Effectively the NSCN now has four factions — the Isak-Muivah faction, the NSCN-K splinter headed by Khole Konyak, the NSCN-K headed by Khaplang, and NSCN-Unification. The NSCN came into being in 1980, after a split from the Naga National Council (NNC) due to differences over the Assam Accord that the NNC signed with the Indian government. The NSCN factions in turn were formed led by Thuingaleng Muivah, Isak Chishi Swu and S. S. Khaplang in 1988 with Isak Swu and Muivah forming the NSCN-IM and Khaplang NSCN-K.  On November 23, 2007 another split of NSCN-IM led to formation of NSCN Unification as one -time ‘home minister’ Azheto Chopey, broke away from the group.

            In 1997, the NSCN-IM and the Government of India signed a ceasefire agreement and entered into a peace process though there is no forward movement towards a final deal.  The NSCN-K followed suit, entering into a truce with New Delhi on April 30, 2001, but no formal talks have begun.

            The consequence of the split in Naga groups is likely to further complicate resolution of the longest standing militancy in India in Nagaland. The Government cannot hope to make peace with one or two factions when others are not on board as that would not contribute to lasting stability but only extended bickering. Given these realities the North East states of Nagaland, Naga dominated parts of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh are likely to continue to face challenges from militancy which has manifested into criminal terrorism with different groups having divided the area for extortion and the general public held to ransom.