Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 9
Veteran Naga leader and Chairman of the NSCN (K) Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang passed away today at around 7:30pm. He was 77. The circumstances of his passing could not be ascertained but sources informed that the Chairman died peacefully at Taka, the Council Headquarter of the NSCN (K). He was reportedly suffering from diabetes.
However, no official statement has yet been issued by the NSCN (K).
Born in April 1940 in Waktham village, Khaplang was the youngest of his 10 siblings. Khaplang had four children, of which three survive him.
According to reports, Khaplang joined the Naga nationalist movement as early as 1964 and was leader of the Eastern Naga Revolutionary Council, which became part of the Naga National Council, under the leadership of AZ Phizo.
However, after the Shillong Accord in 1975, late Isak Chishi Swu, Th Muivah and SS Khaplang formed the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), in which Khaplang was the Vice Chairman. In 1988, the NSCN split with Khaplang parting ways with Swu and Muivah. Khaplang became the Chairman of the NSCN (K).
Khaplang was also leading the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW), an umbrella organization comprising of the United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent), Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), Kamatapur Liberation Organization (KLO) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit).
The NSCN (K) signed a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government in April, 2001, which they unilaterally abrogated in March 2015.
P. Tikhak, one of the founding members of the NSCN-Reformation, told IANS that, "Khaplang was one of those who never compromised with his ideology and principals, come what may. Till his death, he believed only sovereignty from both sides (India and Myanmar) can bring Nagas together. "
We will cherish his commitment: NPMHR The Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has meanwhile expressed sadness at the demise of the NSCN (K) Chairman.
A statement from NPMHR Secretary General, Neingulo Krome said the news has come as a “rude shock to the NPMHR at a time when the Naga people are extremely in need of elderly and experienced wisdom of Naga National Movement leaders, to set right the course of the Naga destiny, which are being misinterpreted and re-interpreted in the present day scenario of internal conflicts.”
“We will always treasure and cherish his commitment to do what the upcoming Naga generation wants as the Naga National movement is for the wellbeing of future Naga generation who should live in dignity and peace,” it added.
The NPMHR prayed that “Almighty God will grant strength and courage to all his dear and near ones and the entire ranks and files of the NSCN (K)/GPRN to bear this loss as we join them in this hour of pain and grief.”
