Lt. Gen’ (Retd) Khango Konyak was unanimously elected as chairman/president of NSCN/GPRN on June 20, 2017 following the demise of S.S. Khaplang on June 9, 2017. This was stated in a communiqué issued by the MIP.
Born on July 17, 1943 at Yangkhao village and christened Bechung Khango, he joined the Naga national service in 1963 at the age of 20 and after completing basic military training, was inducted into the Naga Army.
According to MIP, while in his teens, ‘Lt. Gen’ (Retd) Khango got inspired by heroic exploits of Naga Army fighting foes. In 1966 Khango went to erstwhile East Pakistan on Alee (Foreign) Command and in 1976. He was promoted as ‘2nd Lt’ and commanded 50 cadres who went to China under Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah which they reached in 1977. The journey on foot was arduous and they had to go without food and water for weeks and took several months to reach China after trekking through mountains, hills, crossing deep and dangerous rivers and also evading enemy forces.
In his military career, MIP said ‘Lt. Gen.’ (Retd) Khango held many prestigious positions both “at home and abroad” such as commander of units, battalions, brigades during which he witnessed crucial victories in battles and bringing laurels to the army.
Khango served as chairman Konyak region in 1989 and on April 30, 2011 appointed as kilo (home) kilonser and then elevated to vice chairman/vice president NSCN/GPRN on May 25, 2011.
In his speech on being appointed as chairman NSCN/GPRN, ‘Lt. Gen.’ (Retd) Khango recalled his services that spanned 54 years under various capacities till his appointment as chairman and gave thanks to God for having reached such a position. He also remembered many his comrades who died in action and how he could survive death by hair’s breadth because of the Almighty.
The newly elected NSCN/GPRN chairman lamented on how many educated Naga leaders led Nagas astray and had caused divisions and factions within for selfish and vested interests. However, regardless of all these Khango said he remained firm to serve NSCN/GPRN and pledged to carry on the unfulfilled task of late S.S. Khaplang. MIP also pointed out that despite internal crisis in 1988, 2011 and 2015 Khango refrained from involving in them.
Khango assured that he would serve as chairman solely in the interest of the Naga people to defend and uphold the sovereign rights, identity and dignity of the Nagas.
Khango also appealed to the youth and public he will be for all and therefore sought cooperation from people across Naga society.
He also reiterated that the sacrifices of thousands of Nagas for many decades would not go in vain but that he would steadfastly pursue the just cause and aspiration of Naga still his last breath under NSCN/GPRN with the pledge “Nagaland for Christ.”
