Kohima, Sept. 2: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), which once regarded former commander-in-chief Khole as hero and dedicated rebel leader, is now blaming him for the split of the NSCN in 1988.

After the split of NSCN (K) in June this year, Khole has become the chairman of NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) based in Dimapur. The NSCN (K), in a statement, accused its former commander of killing hundreds of cadres loyal to Thiungaleng Muivah, now general secretary of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim.

“Khole’s delusional memory made him boldly proclaim himself as peacemaker and always maintained that he had nothing to do with bloodspill. However, the fact that he himself was the chief commander and only by his order did the Konyak soldiers massacre the Tangkhuls and other Nagas who opted to follow Muivah stands as testimony to his heinous crimes,” the statement from the Khaplang group said.

Currently, Khole is meeting Muivah and other Naga rebel leaders for reconciliation.

The statement said Khole’s deep hatred against Tangkhul Nagas and the followers of Muivah, his merciless execution and coup d'état in 1988 had been the reasons why Khole has been feared and remained immune from any Konyaks to challenge his dictatorial military hold over his people.

“The demonic and horrific incidents associated with his martial career and fear of vengeance forced him to cling on to the army chief’s office far beyond his eligibility and fitness since 1988 till June 7, 2001,” the statement said.

It said after the NSCN split, Khole chose to take refuge in the jungles of Myanmar away from the questioning eyes of the Nagas for the past many years, claimed innocence and put the blame on NSCN (K) chairman S.S. Khaplang.

“Finally, when realisation dawned on the Nagas of the futility of internecine bloodshed and peace and reconciliation became very vocal, Khole silently sneaked into Nagaland hoping that his terrible crimes may be forgiven and forgotten by the Nagas, who are now clamouring for peace. The glaring deviousness and deceptive mastery of Khole has also been revealed recently through which he was elected chairman,” the statement said.

The outfit said Khole and Kitovi have become prisoners of the NSCN (I-M). The NSCN (K) also warned that its patience was running out because of the confrontational attitude of the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi).

“The NSCN has so far maintained utmost restraint to prevent confrontation of fratricidal nature but tolerance has its limits,” the statement said.

The outfit said the people were witness to the Khaplang faction’s stretched patience and henceforth it should not be held responsible for any course of action upon the rival cadres. According to sources from the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi), Khole would be visiting Mon district soon to clarify his position to the people of the district.

However, sources said the situation was tense in Mon because of the presence of cadres from both the Khaplang and Khole-Kitovi factions, who were trying to take control of the district.