Isak Sumi-led NSCN-K renounces Khango

February 8, 2023 88 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 8

Leaders of the NSCN-K (Khango) loyal to its Ato Kilonser, Col (retired) Isak Sumi, has decided to continue functioning without its President Lt Gen (retired) Khango Konyak.

Vice President Luyanba Yimchung, who was serving as the acting President since January 6, has assumed charge as President replacing Khango, the media was informed at a press conference on February 6.

Zheito Murumi, Public Relations and NGO Kilonser, said that the decision to sever ties was taken as Khango repeatedly ignored reconciliatory attempts since the January 4 incident. Three other top leaders, namely— Khone Lachumong Chang, Deputy Home Kilonser; Luyamba Yimchung, Vice President-cum-Acting President; and Lt Gen Pangging Konyak, Deputy Army Chief also addressed the press conference.

Recounting the turn of events that saw loyalists from both sides issuing counter impeachment orders, Murumi maintained that Khango’s January 4 act of impeaching the Ato Kilonser was contrary to the spirit of the NSCN constitution. He added that Khango’s act was treated as null and void by the Council of Kilonsers at an emergency meeting on January 5. “We wrote to him to reconsider the decision with the caveat that if he does not consider the resolution of the Council of Kiloners, we will not extend cooperation,” he said. According to Muru, Khango reportedly responded that his order was binding and not retractable and subsequently, on January 6, Khango was impeached.

Given the situation, he said that Vice President Luyamba Yimchung was appointed as acting President, while reconciliatory efforts continued. Despite efforts to reconcile in the subsequent days, Muru held that there was no reciprocation from Khango. As a result, he said that the leaders of the organisation took a “majority decision” to renounce Khango.

He further accused Khango of not only acting against the NSCN constitution but also attempting to assassinate Sumi. However, he said that they leave the door open for Khango to return, if he so wishes, bearing in mind the call for reconciliation from the Naga people. “If he joins us, well and good, if he does not, we will still continue functioning as NSCN-K,” he said.