Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 13
In what will go down as a significant testimonial on the Naga political issue, the much revered Naga national leader General Kholi Konyak, Commander-in-Chief, Naga Army of the NSCN (K) humbly appealed for restoring unity among the Nagas. “Sometimes, tears run down my face, considering the present Naga political scenario, but our leaders have failed to understand the ill effects of today’s unrest. Therefore, I humbly appeal to my people to work hard for unity among the Nagas for our future”, Gen Kholi stated in a rare statement received here.
Addressing his former comrade in arms Isak Chishi Swu and Th Muivah, now Chairman and General Secretary of the NSCN (IM), Gen Kholi raised the issue of how a great number of innocent Nagas had been killed as a result of the Naga imbroglio. “Do you remember what greatest crime our cadres have committed before God and our Naga fellows? Was it not under you (Isak and Muivah) did our cadres slaughter the following innocent Nagas when were working together?” Gen Kholi stated and disclosed how around 1500 innocent persons were killed across the Naga homeland.
Gen Kholi also disclosed about the order given by Isak and Muivah to one Captain Shing-O to kill 17 officers belonging to five different tribes.
“This was the system of Isak-Muivah administration which is directly responsible for today’s unrest in Nagaland”, Gen Kholi maintained and charged that even today, both leaders had not “quenched their thirst for blood”.
On the bitterness between the Changs and Konyaks, the General pointed out that this was created by Maj. Hao Tangkhul who on August 20, 1986 attacked the Village Guard post of Yimpang and Taknyu, which “Chang brothers blamed on innocent Konyaks”. But neither Chang nor Konyak can forsake each other under any circumstances, because they are from the same womb having the same blood, Gen Kholi stated.
Besides, Gen Kholi disclosed that in between 1985-1999, about 383 innocent Naga public were felled under the bullets of the NSCN (IM) and how even those from the Naga Army were murdered on the charges of coming late from their out pass leave.
“The despotic, chauvinistic and merciless of our leaders proved to be an unfortunate factor that brought about the ceaseless bloodshed in Nagaland as we see today”.
The General also described the political situation in Nagaland as “getting deteriorated” and blamed this on the presence of “anti-Naga elements in our society”.
“I am fortunate to witness and experience the causes of today’s unrest in Nagaland”, he pointed and blamed “anti-Naga, anti-peace, autocratic and despotic character of some of our leaders” to be the main reasons which had divided and still divide the Nagas into different camps. “Till now these leaders befool the Nagas by staying in foreign countries at the expenses of the Nagas, leaving them behind at the mercy of these anti-Naga elements”, he was quoted as saying and that these people “will achieve nothing than invite the wrath of the Nagas and curse of the living God”.
“Those Naga leaders believe on foreign countries forgetting that solution lies with the Naga people provided all Nagas are united together. Nothing will be achieved unless a consensus is formulated from among the Nagas”, Gen Kholi stated in no uncertain terms.
Raising issues with Isak and Muivah, the General questioned as to whether the two had achieved anything by way of their destructive policy. “I repeatedly told both of you and the NNC leaders not to shed blood of Naga leaders under any circumstances. When both of you were kept under the Naga Army custody in 1978, I the same man (Gen Kholi) saved your lives and gave you a new lease of life. You as emotional leaders may deny it, but God knows what was going on. Your arrogance and pride brought about today’s unrest in Nagaland”, the General remarked. He also questioned V.S Atem on what his achievement was in visiting Tuensang town and “misguiding the Chang brothers? “Every action carries with it its equal reaction”.
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