NSCN-K ‘impeaches’ chairman Konyak in bloodless coup; Yung Aung takes charge

The Khaplang-faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), the only Naga separatist outfit outside the peace talks with the Centre, impeached its chairman Khango Konyak on Friday and appointed Yung Aung as the new ‘acting chairman’.

In an emergency meeting at the outfit’s headquarters in Myanmar, Konyak, who was elevated in June last year following the death of SS Khaplang, was replaced by Aung in a unanimous decision.

The impeachment of Indian-origin Konyak, who was removed from his post for alleged attempts at gaining total control in violation of the outfit’s ideology of collective leadership, is seen as a bloodless coup.

His replacement, 45-year-old Aung (who is Khaplang’s nephew), is of Myanmar-origin and had studied in Manipur till his graduation.

In a statement issued by the banned outfit, the new ‘acting chairman’ has been described as a “young and dynamic leader” who has served the Naga cause “with dedication and commitment”.

Reports say Konyak, who is in his 70s, has been given safe passage to go wherever he wants. The former chairman is believed to have left NSCN-K camps in Myanmar with a group of his supporters.

While other Naga outfits like the Isak-Muivah faction of NSCN and six others are engaged in peace talks with the central government to find a lasting solution to the Naga issue, NSCN-K broke a ceasefire with the government in 2015.

Since Konyak is a Naga from India, his elevation to the chairman’s post had raised hopes that the outfit could join the talks to find an inclusive and lasting solution to the issue.

But NSCN-K, which has several training camps in Myanmar, is still providing training and logistical support to other rebel outfits from the region like United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) besides carrying out attacks on Indian security forces.