Most Wanted Naga Movement Rebel Leader SS Khaplang Dies at 77

SS Khaplang, the rebel leader who was the face of Naga militarism and nationalism dies at 77.

SS Khaplang, leader of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-K, (right ) dies at the age of 77. (Photo: Anjana Dutta/The Quint)

One of the most dreaded rebels of the Naga movement, Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang, died in Mayanmar, in the military base of its headquarters on Friday.

The 77-year-old, better knows as SS Khaplang, was the chairman of the Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K).

There are varying reports of how he died. According to a Hindustan Times report, Khaplang died of renal complications, officials in Nagaland, quoting “reliable sources” in Myanmar, said. According to a Times of India report, he died of a heart attack.

We have learnt that Khaplang died on Friday evening at Taga (in Myanmar’s Sagaing Division). He was not keeping well and had undergone surgery earlier.

Nagaland’s director-general of police LL Doungel told <i>Hindustan Times</i>.

In His Will, Khaplang Wrote, ‘Hold The Torch of Freedom’

In his last will, Khaplang urged the younger generation of Nagas to continue to ‘hold the torch of freedom’, Raymond Kharmujai wrote for IANS.

I have done my part for my people’s freedom with the little capacity God has given me. Now, the younger generation needs to continue the legacy left upon them. Just like it was passed onto us by the elders. Never waver nor be carried away by the ideologies of the aliens that Nagas do not deserve to be a Nation.

Khaplang wrote in his last will, write Kharmujai.

He also wrote that as a human, he has done many wrongs and asks to be forgiven for all his failures in his venture for cherished freedom.

“My sons and daughters, please continue to hold on the torch of our freedom until we reach the promised land," Khaplang said in his will.

After Truce, Khaplang Returned With A ‘War of Independence’

After more than two decades of militancy, the NSCN-K agreed on a ceasefire with the Indian government in 2001.

This was four years after the rival Isak-Muivah faction.

However, NSCN-K could not be invited to peace talks as Khaplang was a Myanmar national. Hence, he walked out of the truce in March 2015 and renewed the “war of independence” against India.

Read more: Clear Signs from Delhi, Door Has Been Closed on Khaplang

After walking out of the truce, Khaplang helped bring together various rebel outfits, reports Hindustan Times. He headed the new-found front called the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia.

While members of the rival Thuingaleng Muivah-led NSCN continued to engage in talks with the Indian government, Khaplang’s forces continued to wage war.

As reported by the Indian Express earlier this week, a clash at Tijit in Nagaland claimed the lives of Major David Manlum and three NSCN-K insurgents.

The front carried out a deadly ambush against the Army in 2016, killing 20 Indian soldiers in Manipur. The Indian government responded with a cross-border raid into Myanmar, targeting the group’s infrastructure.

The results of the raid remain disputed, however, with critics charging it did little to deter, reports the Indian Express.

‘Khaplang Was Affectionately Called Baba’

Khaplang was born in April 1940, and was the youngest of the 10 children. He belonged to Myanmar’s Hemi Naga tribe.

Khaplang was affectionately called Baba, reports Times of India.

Citing unconfirmed reports, a Hindustan Times article said he has left behind three sons and a daughter, settled far from the conflict zone in north-east India.

Read more: Myanmar Seeks to Please India by Keeping NSCN(K) Out of Ceasefire

Decades ago in 1964, Khaplang formed the Naga Defence Force as a coherent voice to carve a new nation out of both India and Myanmar, as reported in the Indian Express.

He later got together with Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu and formed the National Socialist Council of Nagaland in 1980.

Khaplang’s Tryst With Indian Intelligence

The NSCN was formed with the agenda of forming a Naga state for all the Naga-speaking people in the north-east.

It is alleged that Indian intelligence agencies cultivated Khaplang as a source to divide the NSCN and weaken the movement.

Read more: India’s Myanmar Envoy Poses With Terror Group NSCN-K’s Chief

The council split into two in 1988 after a failed assassination attempt on Muivah, as reported by Indian Express. Khaplang broke the joint council into two fractions – one lead by him, and the other being led by Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu.

In order to destabilise the Naga movement, the Indian agencies allegedly used Khaplang as an aid to trigger frequent issues between the the two factions of the council.

This, according to a Hindustan Times report, led to the death of more rebels than the encounters with the Indian armed forces.