NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) chief resigns, cites old age

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

The move comes days after the NSCN faction withdrew its support to the Naga peace accord. The source close to the self-styled 'General' Khole, who was formerly with the NSCN-Khaplang, also said he was waiting for the acceptance of his resignation by other senior members of the group.

"Khole Konyak has submitted his resignation. Recently, he openly said in a meeting that he wanted to retire. He said his age is not supporting him. Mentally he is not prepared and said he felt physically weak," the source told IANS.

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-(Isac-Muivah) and the central government on August 3, and sought a separate solution only for the Nagas of Nagaland.

According to the source, Konyak has also sought immediate appointment of a new president for the group.

"Konyak is waiting for the acceptance of his resignation and wants to retire once his resignation is accepted," said the source.