Naga CM sparks row, mourns rebel's death

Guwahati: In what has created a major controversy, Nagaland chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu on Saturday condoled the death of NSCN(K) chairman S.S. Khaplang who was responsible for killing Indian Army personnel in various offensives in the Northeast.

Khaplang died of cardiac arrest in Takka, Myanmar, on Friday.

“I am grieved to learn about the sudden demise of S.S. Khaplang last evening in Myanmar. It is tragic that an important Naga leader like Khaplang 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 their views and aspirations to the Government of India in one voice is absolutely imperative,” Mr Liezietsu’s condolence message, on the government’s letterhead, read.

The chief minister’s statement has come as surprise in security circle as the top militant leader was on the radar of security forces for NSCN(K)’s offensives against the Indian Army.

Since the 1980s, NSCN(K) engaged in subversive activities, including attacks on Indian security forces, extortion and looting. Khaplang entered into a ceasefire with the central government in 1997 but abrogated it on March 28, 2015.  On June 4, 2015, NSCN(K) was involved in the killing of 18 Army soldiers in an ambush in Manipur. The ambush was carried out despite the fact that the Nagaland government had been sending delegations to meet the Khalpang faction’s leaders in Myanmar to convince them to re-enter the peace process.

Subsequently, the government snapped the dialogue and in September 2015 the NSCN(K) was declared an unlawful organisation for five years.

“It was encouraging to learn that Khaplang had a few months back conveyed his willingness to have a dialogue with the government provided issues of substance were discussed,” the chief minister said.

Mr Liezietsu, who heads an alliance government in which the BJP is also a partner, appealed to the Nagas to “resolve and dedicate” themselves to work with renewed vigour and determination to find a solution to the Naga problem which is “honourable and acceptable to all stakeholders”.

On behalf of the government and people of Nagaland, the chief minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.