Across borders, in solidarity, Ukhrul pays homage to Gen Khole Konyak

December 14, 2018 257 Views No Comment

Nagas have not mourned any leader with such great grief. General (Retd) Khole Konyak sacrificed more than six decades of his living years to assert our political history and to overcome the divisions created among us, says Grace Jajo a freelance reporter based in Manipur

A candlelight service was organised at Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) Ground today as a mark of respect to the departed soul of General Retd. Khole Chetkoh Konyak, Vice President of GPRN.

General (Retd.) Khole Chetkoh Konyak was born on 3 February 1928 in Wangshu village under Mon District of Nagaland State. He joined the Naga national movement in April 1956 at the age of 28 years. He suffered a stroke and was admitted in Fortis Hospital at Delhi and passed away at 3pm on 12 December 2018.

As a mark of respect and homage to the dear departed leader, the Naga Flag will be flown at half mast in the land of Tangkhuls for a week as we mourn the departure of our beloved leader, the Tangkhul Naga Long has decided.

As per the official information made available by Wung Tangkhul Region (WTR), he served as Commander in Chief from 1981 till the split of NSCN in 1988. He served as the President of NSCN-U from June 2011 and later joined the mainstream. He was a brave soldier who had dedicated and committed his precious life for the cause of Nagas.

A condolence message delivered by MH. Raikhan, CAO WTR expressed pain on hearing the sudden demise of His Excellency the Vice President of the Government of People’s Republic of Nagalim on 12 December 2018.

“A brave heart who took a right decision at the right time for the righteous cause is a noble deed. It shall remain alive in our hearts and our lives. In such moments, the words would be superfluous; however the Wung Tangkhul Region gives our sincere condolences to the entire family. With heavy heart we pray for the eternal repose of His Excellency”.

A condolence message by the Tangkhul Naga Long stated that it is indeed with a heavy heart that the entire Tangkhul community has received the news of the departure of General Retd. Khole Chetkoh Konyak, the respected vice president of NSCN/GPRN.

As a mark of respect and homage to the dear departed leader, the Naga Flag will be flown at half mast in the land of Tangkhuls for a week as we mourn the departure of our beloved leader, it stated.

“We pray for the eternal repose of one who was a man of distinction in his innings as a freedom fighter and who has gracefully left the unadulterated legacy of Naga nationalism. A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts and thought as they live on”.

The Tangkhul Naga Long stated that Gen Khole had “fought the good fight, run the race and kept the faith” and pledged to honour the mantle and continue to fight for our rights in the same spirit demonstrated through his sacrificial life.

“At this difficult time of bereavement, may God grant the peace that transcends all understanding to the bereaved family, his near and dear ones, all his comrades in arms and be consoled”.

While deeply saddened, it stated that it was worth celebrating the life of General Retd Khole Chetkoh Konyak . “We praise God for blessing our people through such a leader and it is our continued prayer that the Almighty Father will grant the strength for all of us, a part of the unbreakable Naga family, to be at the loss and look to the future with renewed hope and vigor”.

The condolence message was signed by Hopingson A. Shimray, President, Tangkhul Naga Long. Hundreds of people, young and old pay their last homage and lit candles as a mark of respect to the departed soul.