Dimapur, June 11 (MExN): More organisations and individuals on Sunday extended condolences on the death of NSCN (K) Chairman SS Khaplang who passed away at the Council Headquarters in Taka on June 9. He was 77.
NBCC: The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) expressed its deep condolences over the death of Khaplang.
In a condolence message, the NBCC stated that it has been for a very long time involved in the peace process. “In this involvement, NBCC leadership has also met the Chairman on several occasions and find him to be a leader of principle who throughout his life has given all he could to the political aspiration of the Nagas,” the message stated while adding that in his death, “we have yet, lost one leader who could have been a link to the solution that we seek.”
“Leaders are mortal and therefore, as the Nagas in Nagaland and Myanmar and elsewhere mourn the death of Chairman, SS Khaplang, NSCN (K) may we find peace and solace in God. And may our leaders who are with us and in whom our people have placed their mandate act in God's wisdom for the generation to come,” the NBCC’s message concluded.
Tikhak: General Secretary of the NSCN – Reformation, P. Tikhak expressed pain and grief at the demise of late SS Khaplang – a founding member of the NSCN.
In a message, Tikhak stated that he has lost someone very close and even though situation compelled them to part ways, late Khaplang deserves the same love and respect for the leadership given.
Tikhak stated that he had the opportunity to know late Khaplang closely and that the departed leader played multiple roles in the lives of the Nagas of Eastern Nagaland.
“He was a teacher to many and also a preacher at times. He was a defender for some and a savior for others. He was aggressive yet sometimes he was compassionate as well. He would be rude sometimes but he would pass a humble smile at us when we stare at him hungrily when we ran out of ration for days together. He also help many poor and orphan children get education in India and Myanmar, including theologians,” the message stated.
“Late Khaplang may be a villain to many but; he was a hero to many poor, deprived and underprivileged Nagas of Eastern Nagaland,” Tikhak added.
Terming late Khaplang the “undisputed leader” as far as Eastern Nagaland is concern, Tikhak contended, “Had it not been for the great Naga leaders like Late Sangyu Sangwang Khaplang, Late Karang Galon, Late Koikhip Ngaimong, one can only wonder what would had been the situation of Eastern Nagaland.”
Konyak Union: The Konyak Union (KU) along with its people from both Myanmar and India expressed shock at the demise of Khaplang.
“The news of his sudden demise had shaken the hearts into tears of the Nagas in both the nation (India & Myanmar) today,” KU stated in a message. “He was a devoted and a dedicated Naga leader who had stood unwavering until his last breath,” it added.
“Though, he might be tagged as an ethnic Naga leader at Naypyidaw or a terrorist at New Delhi or a factionalist by some other Naga factions, he had uncompromisingly sacrificed for the Naga cause and he deserves to be honoured,” the KU stated.
From a humble thatch house, “Baba” Khaplang started his sacrificial life for the cause of the Naga freedom and remained till his last breath under the same rugged thatch home at Takka in Eastern Nagaland, the union added.
The Konyak Union also lamented that “our beloved baba” left before any political settlement was achieved with both the Governments of India and Myanmar as per the aspirations of the Nagas to live united as one under one political umbrella.
ENNG: The Eastern Naga National Government (ENNG) also extended its condolences on the demise of late Khaplang, who it termed as one of the “iconic pioneers of the Naga nationalist movement”.
“As a mortal soul in flesh and blood, a human is ingrained with traits and characters which make us vulnerable and weak, and Khaplang was no exception,” the ENNG stated in a message. “Nevertheless, one can never belittle the contributions and sacrifices of SS Khaplang which remains unparalleled and the loss is irreparable,” it added.
“The Naga nation and its people shall always treasure his cherished dreams of a free Naga nation,” the ENNG’s message read.
Wangyuh Konyak Ex-Member of Parliament (MP) Wangyuh Konyak expressed shock to learn of the demise of SS Khaplang and stated that his untimely death at this crucial juncture is a great loss for the Nagas.
Khaplang’s last attempt was to break the communication barriers among the Naga tribes in Myanmar by publishing a book in Nagamese with English alphabet, the ex-MP informed in a message. “A man with many unknown sufferings, he had to bear the brunt of both India and Maynmar but stood tall on his principal to fight for the cause of Nagas,” he added.
The ex-MP along with his family conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and to all rank and file of the NSCN (K).
CNTC: The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) expressed its deepest and heartfelt condolences at the sudden passing away of Khaplang.
A message from the Media Cell CNTC stated that SS Khaplang will always be remembered as a true noble patriot.
A legendary freedom fighter who spent his entire lifetime in fighting for the Naga cause, Khaplang’s gallant sacrifices and the struggles he endured for the Naga people will be forever remembered in the annals of the Naga freedom movement, the CNTC stated.
“In losing Khaplang, Nagas have lost a great leader and a stalwart of the Naga Cause who stood steadfast by his principles till his last breath which will always be remembered by the coming generations,” it added.
NWU: The Naga Women's Union (NWU) expressed its deepest sympathy on the sad demise of late SS Khaplang.
“We will be indebted for his life-long sacrifice shown for the Nagas to live with dignity and freedom and will continue to inspire and strengthen the Naga people in the struggle for self-determination,” the union stated and added, “The spirit of dedication and commitment shown by him to his people will never be in vain.”
ENSA: The Eastern Naga Students' Association (ENSA) also mourned the demise of the legendary leader SS Khaplang.
“Baba Khaplang was a father figure of the Naga national movement who didn't choose the way of luxurious life rather he chose the path of struggles and fought for the sovereign rights of Nagas till his last breath,” the association stated in a message.
“As a sacrificial father, he put all efforts to preserve the uniqueness of Nagas existence and its identity made known not only to the Indians and Burmese but to the entire world.”
IMTN: The Indigenous Minority Tribes of Nagaland (IMTN) – a conglomeration of the Indigenous Kuki, Kachari, Garo and Karbi/Mikir Tribes of Nagaland – expressed sadness over the demise of Khaplang. The IMTN in a message extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for God’s blessings at this moment of grief and sorrow. It also prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.
CNC The Council of Nagalim Churches also extended condolences on the demise of Khaplang – one of the founding members of the NSCN.
“It is sad that he passed away before we could re-unite as one Naga family,” a message from the CNC stated. The Council prayed that God grant comfort to the bereaved family and a place of peace in eternity to the departed leader.
