NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) chief reportedly resigns, officials deny

GPRN/NSCN president Khole Konyak, who also heads the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khole-Kitovi) group, resigned as he felt his old age caused a hindrance to work for the Naga cause, a source said on Friday.

In a clarification, the 'ministry for information and publicity' of the GPRN/NSCN, however, denied the report of Konyak resigning.

In a release, the 'ministry' said: "President has never tendered his resignation nor the government has any such issues.

"It's just a small brains' game which is trying to complicate the Naga issue or maybe some group trying to create more mistrust and misunderstandings among the members. But he has assured that this kind of little tricks won't have any negative impact toward the integrity of GPRN/NSCN," it said.

"We are well aware of such propagations and dirty politics played upon, the government will take its proper inquiry and initiate serious action towards those who are trying to tarnish the images of GPRN/NSCN," said the release issued by the 'press secretary' immediately after the news went viral.

GPRN is a parallel government run by the NSCN with jurisdiction that extends to all Naga areas. Officials of these factions collect both annual and monthly 'taxes' from people -- both Nagas and non-Nagas.

Earlier, there were reports that the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) group, which is also headed by Khole Konyak, had withdrawn its support from the Naga Peace Accord signed on August 3 between the NSCN-IM and the Indian government.

Sources had earlier stated that Khole Konyak had submitted his resignation during a meeting of the GPRN/NSCN held a few days ago.

Quoting Konyak, the sources said: "I wanted to retire as my age is not supporting me. I am mentally not prepared and feel physically weak."

The source also said Konyak was waiting for a new president to take over.

NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) was formed on June 7, 2011, by Kitovi Zhimoni, till then the self-styled 'prime minister' of NSCN-Khaplang's underground government, and Konyak, co-founder of NSCN-K.

Konyak later quit NSCN-K complaining of Khaplang's dictatorial leadership.

The group recently withdrew its support to the Naga peace accord, signed between NSCN-(Isak-Muivah) and the central government on August 3, and sought a separate solution only for the Nagas of Nagaland.