Gen. (Retd) Khole Konyak, former Commander-in-Chief of undivided NSCN passes away

December 12, 2018 1403 Views No Comment

“A redefined goal of the Nagas must be derived through correct understanding of the situation. A rational and practical approach today will safeguard future generation Nagas. Let us be wise”

Gen. (Retd) Khole Konyak during the Naga consultative meeting on Feb 29, 2012 when he was the Chairman of the GPRN/NSCN

Naga Republic News

Senior Naga national leader Gen. (Retd) Khole Konyak seen here in Feb 29, 2012 during the Naga consultative meeting at Dimapur

Among the senior most Naga national leader and a legend in his own rights, Gen. (Retd) Khole Konyak, a former Commander-in-Chief of the undivided NSCN, passed away at New Delhi on Wednesday, December 12 after suffering a stroke.

It was informed that Khole Konyak, Vice-Chairman of the NSCN (IM) had been on life support since Tuesday after he fell ill due to stroke. He breathed his last at around 2:30 pm December 12. A senior leader in the outfit told the Economic Times , “Konyak suffered stroke and was admitted to a hospital in New Delhi where he died of brain haemorrhage.

According to reports, his mortal remains will be flown in to Dimapur on the 14th of December and will be taken to CHQ, Camp Hebron. He will be laid to rest at Tobu, his native village under Mon District.

Gen. (Retd) Khole Konyak will be remembered for his meritorious service to the Naga nation. Gifted with a sharp memory, the General led the Naga Army under the undivided NSCN along with his contemporary Late Isak Chishi Swu, Late SS Khaplang and Th Muivah.

Although he parted ways with Swu and Muivah following the split in the NSCN in 1988, it was destined that Khole would reunite with them with his joining the NSCN (IM) in 2016. Gen Khole had earlier split from the Khaplang led NSCN in June 2011 along with Kitovi.

As mentioned Gen Khole was an old compatriot of Th Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu and the man whom Chairman Swu and Gen. Secy. Muivah of NSCN (IM) admitted to have saved their lives from certain death during the bitter rivalry post the Shillong Accord.

Considered as a moderate, Gen Khole affirmed his position that Naga unity was a must for inclusive solution. In an interview to The Telegraph’s Nishit Dholabhai in September 2015, the General had this to say: “Why are we not coming together?…that is why we are in so much trouble while we could have been happy together…”

He had even suggested that Delhi should talk to leaders of all groups and civil society organisations “on a single panel”.

Going underground in 1955, Khole rose through the NNC ranks during the heady days when Naga freedom and sovereignty were the only aims. When a college-educated and English-speaking Muivah joined the council, Khole was already a “captain”.

“We were all together in China,” said Khole in the interview to The Telegraph.

Gen. Khole was seen as someone who worked for conciliation even in the face of bitter division. In his public statements over the years, Gen Khole would often appeal not to resort to violent activities as it does not serve the purpose among Naga brothers.

It may be mentioned that Gen Khole was also a signatory to several of the peace initiative along with the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. He was a signatory to the Naga Concordant in August 26, 2011 where it was resolved in principle to work towards the formation of one Naga National Government. Gen Khole also signed the Lenten Agreement in March 2014, which in principle agreed to the formation of the Naga National Government.