In a dramatic development, Khaplang was impeached by the National Assembly of the Government of People’s Republic of Nagaland (GPRN/NSCN) on June 7, 2011 at its CHQ, Khehoi, near Dimapur. Following his impeachment, he was also expelled from the organization. At the same time, the National Assembly had decided to install the Commander-in-Chief of the outfit, General Kholi Konyak, as Acting Chairman of the GPRN/NSCN.After a week of this political development, General Konyak was sworn in as the full-fledged Chairman of the GPRN/NSCN on June 13 at an official function held at their National Assembly Hall attended by Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister), the National Political Affairs Committee (NPAC), Tatars (MPs), Heads of Department and High ranking Naga army officials. The Speaker of the National Assembly has administered the Oath of Allegiance and Office Oath and Secrecy upon General Konyak. Soon after the oath taking ceremony, the outfit in a statement said it was to put “an end to the Constitutional crisis arising out of inevitable impeachment of the former President.”

Soon after his swearing in as the new President of the GPRN/NSCN, General Konyak assured Nagas that he would uphold the will and aspiration of the Nagas at all cost as entrusted upon him. He further stated that no one was above the nation and the Naga people’s collective “will and desire” should always reign “supreme across all odds.” In the current context of the Naga people’s political aspiration, the fervent will of the Naga people was to reconcile and unite across all differences and to stand their ground for the common future, the new President stated. The outfit’s Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) N Kitovi Zhimomi explained various reasons that led to the impeachment of Khaplang and subsequent appointment of General Konyak as the new President.

In 1997, the NSCN-IM and the Government of India signed a ceasefire agreement and entered into a peace process to resolve what the outfit calls the ‘Indo-Naga conflict.’ Today, fourteen years later, and more than seventy rounds of talks across the world between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India, a ‘solution’ remains elusive. The NSCN-K followed suit, entering into a truce with New Delhi on April 30, 2001, but has not begun formal talks yet. The outfit which entered into a ceasefire with the Government of India in 2001 has failed to take off any political dialogue.

Zhimomi also said that Khaplang could not convene “National Assembly” during this period. Revealing that soon after the signing of the ceasefire with the Government of India in 2001, Zhimomi said that they had been proposing to Khaplang the convening of a National Assembly to frame modalities to start the political dialogue. But Khaplang kept postponing such proposals citing one reason or the other. He even failed to call such an Assembly in 2011, Zhimomi disclosed.

The Ato Kilonser also came down heavily on Khaplang that the latter lived in exile while keeping the members in darkness. He said, “When all the Nagas were praying for peace and reconciliation amongst Naga political groups, S. S. Khaplang started issuing directions not to be part of reconciliation process.” But he (Khaplang) could not force them to go “against the wishes of the people,” he stated.

Meanwhile, in reaction to his impeachment and subsequent expulsion from the outfit, SS Khaplang, Chairman of the NSCN (K) had expelled Zhimomi, the General Secretary of the outfit. At the same time, he also expelled Azheto Choppy and members of the Unification Group from the organization.

In his expulsion order issued on June 10, Khaplang said that Zhimomi’s expulsion from the party had become a necessity to “save the party from further deterioration and confusion.

“It is sad that today at this decisive juncture for the Nagas, Mr. Zhimomi, as a National leader has failed to stand by the ethics of the revolutionary which is guided by its strong will and commitment to the people to liberate from the occupational forces and prepare the ground for that. He also simply failed to distinguish the reactionary forces and the revolutionary. His support for the Unification group and celebrating unification anniversary of the few people is also not admirable. NSCN does not recognize any unification group or this unification anniversary,” Khaplang said. He further stated that some Kilonsers and members were indeed inducted into the GPRN as per their capacity including several army officers in the People’s Army of Nagaland who had the vision to see a liberated Naga land. “Therefore, the question of celebrating unification anniversary does not arise,” he pointed out. Khaplang also elaborated on the pulling out of the reconciliation process saying that they had done so not because of the intentional violation of the resolved resolution by the other participating group. “Unfortunately, Zhimomi continued his meeting with those groups even when many national workers were bleeding at the hands of the reactionaries,” Khaplang said adding, “It is nothing but a blatant insult to the national workers.”

On the expulsion of Azheto Choppy, Khaplang pointed out that they were each absorbed in the GPRN with key portfolios like Home and Finance, yet their contributions and dedications for the national interest “were not satisfactory and still remain doubtful.” “Their continuous effort to propagate unification by celebrating unification anniversary of a few people with doubtful nature is not at all encouraging,” Khaplang said. Explaining further, Khaplang said that unity among the Naga people was important provided, there was a “common vision” to excel the liberation struggle from the hands of the occupational forces and should not be merely for personal political mileage or monetary benefits. Therefore, the NSCN (K) had decided to expel all the members of the unification group led by Azheto Choppy for “misguiding the nation and for creating mistrust among the national workers,” Khaplang said. Along with the expulsion of Zhimomi, Khaplang also expelled Angpa Konyak, Deputy Kilonser, Ministry of Chaplee, Athrom Konyak, Kilonser, Ministry of Lota, Kilonser Seochem Sangtam, Kilonser Yimto Yimchunger, Kilonser Jack Zhimimo, Kilonser Jungshi Wati for conniving with the unification group and for their anti-party activities.

Questions have always been asked as to which of the principal NSCN factions (NSCN-IM or NSCN-K) was the ‘true representative’ of the Naga people; or whether New Delhi or the Nagas themselves believed there could be lasting peace with a possible accord being reached with either one of the Naga rebel factions. It is impossible to see New Delhi signing two separate deals with two Naga rebel factions fighting over more or less the same issues. The Government of India is keeping mum for the moment as the situation is a tricky one to handle. In either case, New Delhi may find itself in a better position to dictate terms to the rebels. If, on the other hand, the NSCN-IM and Konyak factions move towards unity in the days ahead, New Delhi would have to listen to a broader Naga voice. The realities remain complicated, and the road to Naga peace is full of traps and pitfalls. A single, united, Naga voice is still nowhere to be heard.