Khaplang a puppet in Ulfa chief’s hands?

The day after abrogating its 14-year ceasefire with New Delhi on March 27, the NSCN-K expelled two senior ministers - Y Wanting Naga and P Tikhak - for "anti-government, anti-national and anti-people's conduct". Wangting headed the Ceasefire Supervisory Board.

The day after abrogating its 14-year ceasefire with New Delhi on March 27, the NSCN-K expelled two senior ministers - Y Wanting Naga and P Tikhak - for "anti-government, anti-national and anti-people's conduct". Wangting headed the Ceasefire Supervisory Board.

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A week later, Ulfa-Independent chief Paresh Baruah announced the formation of the United National Liberation Front of West South East Asia (UNLFWSEA). Its constituents: NSCN-K, Ulfa-I, Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO-seeking a Koch-Rajbongshi homeland straddling West Bengal and Assam) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit).

Subsequently, Wangting and Tikhak formed the NSCN-Reformation faction.

Belonging to Naga tribes living on the Indian side, the two attacked their former chief SS Khaplang and underscored his Burmese identity.

They also dissected him for letting Baruah take control of his "ageing senses".

In a statement a few weeks ago, they said: "Khaplang is in the grip of Baruah and is being utilised by outsiders." Baruah, it alleged, took advantage of an ageing Khaplang (now 75) and has been using the NSCN-K's resources to rejuvenate the Ulfa.

In Manipur, officials feel the NSCN-K has an unholy friendship with two Meitei outfits - Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) - that were its partners in the June 4 ambush. The outfits are against a unified Naga homeland.