Morung Express News
September 21
MON/KOHIMA: In a day of unexpected political development, senior Konyak Union (KU) leader Wangtin Konyak resigned as General Secretary of his apex tribal body to join the NSCN (K). Wangtin was later inducted into the group at a formal function in an undisclosed location in Mon. In an unrelated development, in the State Capital Kohima, former Finance Minister and NPF legislator Kewekhape Therie was suspended from the Party. This was informed over telephone by Akang Ao, NPF Spokesman. The decision was made at the Central Executive Committee meeting of the political party which was held at the State Banquet Hall, Kohima. The NPF had earlier issued a show cause notice to the former Finance Minister to which he had replied. However, according to Akang, Therie’s reply had failed to satisfy the disciplinary committee of the Party. The absence of a Central Executive Committee had earlier delayed a decision on Therie’s suspension, it was informed. Both the developments in Mon and Kohima is expected to make a significant impact on the political front.
Meanwhile, in a move that took many former colleagues by surprise, Wangtin said his decision was prompted by his desire to bring about peace and unity into the ‘national movement’, which he described as ‘a mad game of fratricide’ with no one to stop it. “The voices of the Churches and NGO’s have gone unheard while many young and gifted youth’s have laid their lives for nothing”, Wangtin said.
“I think we must sacrifice everything for the sake of peace because we cause so much grief and agony to many parents. I respect Naga cause but I hate its system and yet today I happen to join some Naga faction”, Wangtin explained in his statement issued shortly after his joining the Khaplang group.
Wangtin prayed that God should give him a ‘time’ to meet Isak and Muivah. “I don’t care if somebody targets me but I have discovered that reconciliation and unification is the only way without which any form of solution will attract more bloodshed”.
The former overground social worker said his first work would involve bringing about peace and reconciliation among the warring factions and hoped that NSCN leaders would sacrifice their ‘rank and file’ to achieve this.
“I respect our great leaders like Uncle Isak, Muivah, Khaplang, Kholi and Kitovi because they are God ordained leaders but my request to them is to reconcile among themselves for the welfare of the Naga people. This will be my message till reconciliation is achieved”, Wangtin said in his appeal to NSCN leaders.
Wangtin also pointed out that despite sincere efforts as an NGO leader for the last 8 years and working in different organizations, the mission to restore peace between the year 2000-2004, had been a ‘miserable failure’, due to the deep distrust and misunderstanding among underground leaders. Wangtin however put on record to say that “one of the greatest achievements of the mission was the persuasion of the NSCN (K) collective leadership to declare unilateral cease-fire with their brothers NSCN (IM) and accordingly, 6 months unilateral cease-fire was declared by General Kholi Konyak and Kitovi from March to August 2004, although it was rejected by the NSCN (IM)”.
Wangtin pointed out that he had no enmity towards any faction and only wanted peace and reconciliation among the Nagas and clarified that his joining the NSCN (K) did not represent any ill-feelings towards other factions. “I have no special inclination towards the organization I join today but have full confidence that my journey will help restore peace in our home”.
Taking a hard stand against the use of force and violence, the former KU leader said that bloodshed only led to human agony and reduced Nagas national goal to a ‘game of vengeance’ and questioned as to why leaders from both faction could not unite.
