“The constant splits in the rebel groups and changes in loyalty by the cadres are also causing the rise in cases of kidnapping”

Videos of the citizens of Longding district launching massive protests and raising slogans, demanding that the NSCN go back, recently made headlines in the state.

It is believed that more than 5,000 people from all walks of life took to the streets on Monday in Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) districts to protest against the repeated incidents of kidnapping of innocent villagers by underground (UG) groups.

Most of the people’s anger was directed towards the NSCN (K-YA), a faction that was created out of the previous NSCN (K). The group has been accused of indulging in rampant extortion and kidnapping of citizens, especially in Longding district.

When Naga rebel leader SS Khaplang died in 2017, Khango Konyak was elected as the new chairman of the NSCN (K). But when he agreed to join the peace talks with the government of India, he was impeached and replaced by Yung Aung, a Myanmarese national, as the new chairman. Aung is believed to be the nephew of late SS Khaplang and is based in Sagaing region of Myanmar.

“His faction, named NSCN (K-YA), is not in talks with the government of India. The faction is trying to create its own imprint and therefore there is a sudden increase in their activities,” said a police official.

He said that Longding district is being targeted due to its strategic location. “Longding shares a porous boundary with Myanmar and Nagaland. It is easy for the Myanmar-based cadres to cross into Longding to commit crimes and then easily go back,” the police official added.

The security official said he believes that “the constant splits in the rebel groups and changes in loyalty by the cadres are also causing the rise in cases of kidnapping.”