CorCom pays tributes to Khaplang
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 11 2017:
Apart from condoling the sudden demise of NSCN-K Chairman "Baba" Shangwang Shanyung Khaplang (SS Khaplang), the Coordination Committee (CorCom) of PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF and UNLF has paid rich tributes to the late rebel leader.
A statement issued by CorCom convenor Kh Pambei lamented that the death of Baba Khaplang is an irreparable loss to the revolutionary struggle of WESEA region.
Throughout his life, Baba Khaplang worked tirelessly and dedicated his whole life for the freedom and sovereignty of the Naga people who are being exploited and colonized, to the extent of deprivation of even their basic human rights.
He is a revolutionary icon of the region.
Since his youthful days of Naga Defence Force and subsequently Eastern Naga Revolutionary Council, he has been an epitome of struggle and suffering of the Naga peoples.
He was a keen observer and had a clear vision of the common polity of the WESEA people who share common racial origin, composite history, composite culture and are interdependent and inseparable from one another, said CorCom.
Since 1976, during his association with AZ Phizo and NNC, he became well acquainted with the revolutionary parties of Manipur to pave way for a common struggle against alien occupation and its alleged colonial aggression.
He firmly believed that only a united struggle of the WESEA region can give deliverance to the people from its oppressors and enemies; and hence can withstand the challenges of time together.
The much contentious Shillong Accord broke the Naga struggle into opposing groups, as those opposing the Accord formed the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) in 1980 with Isak Chishi Swu, SS Khaplang, Thuingaleng Muivah as its Chairman, Vice Chairman and General Secretary respectively.
Furthermore, in 1988 NSCN broke into NSCN(IM) and NSCN with Baba Khaplang taking over as the Chairman of NSCN.
Since then, as his firm commitment and clear vision of the region's united struggle against Indian hegemony is more correct and acceptable, all the revolutionary parties of Manipur have been staying and working together at his eastern Naga areas.
He spent his whole life with his Naga Army in the jungles sharing their pain and hardships; always living a very simple life far from luxury.
In 1996, he went to Geneva and attended the UN Working Committee on Indigenous Populations, brought the Naga peoples as well as the region's sufferings to the world view thereby exposing India's alleged colonial hegemonic rule.
To the liberation struggle of Manipuri peoples, he is truly a benefactor.
The invaluable contributions of blood and sweat of the Eastern Naga villagers living with their meagre incomes and always ready to share food, shelter and anything else is all due to his magnanimity.
Baba Khaplang was the main architect of the erstwhile Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front in 1990.Although IBRF didn't progress much, it laid the firm foundation for regional unity.
Under the able leadership of Baba Khaplang, again a more compact regional united front named UNLFW was formed with KLO, NDFB, NSCN and ULFA with Baba Khaplang as its Chairman.
Although CorCom or any representative from Manipur is not in the UNLFW so far, they have been working together with UNLFW under the able leadership of its Chairman Sir Khaplang and fighting jointly against Indian military forces, it conveyed.
The CorCom shared its profound sorrow with the grieving family, leaders, comrades of NSCN, officers, rank and files of Naga Army as well.
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