NSCN(IM) expels eight top leaders

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 16: In a major development which could have severe ramifications and far reaching implications, the NSCN (IM) has expelled as many as eight leaders.
Citing disloyalty, insubordination and non-compliance with the directives of the party’s collective leadership, the eight leaders were expelled from the party in June-July, 2026.
Taking serious note of the persistent operation by Lt Gen Hanshi Ramsan, VC (retired) and Lt Gen Absalom Raman as a parallel entity which according to the NSCN (IM) collective leadership constitutes severe breach of its constitution (Yehzabo), the two were expelled from active party membership on June 24, 2026.
Moreover, six alleged abettors of the two detractors namely; Lt Col (Retd) Victor Angami, Kilonser Kikheto Chishi Swu, EMSC Ikato Chishi Swu, Rev Vitovi Yeptho, Deputy Kilonser Pamshang Zimik and Angyo Jingseya (Jacob) Tangshang Tatar were also expelled from active membership of the party on July 7, 2026.
The NSCN (IM) collective leadership has also asked all  its members currently operating under the unauthorized command of Hanshi Ramsan and Absalom Raman within the so-called Eastern Flank to report to the outfit’s Council Headquarters in Hebron or the General Headquarters.
Non-compliance with this directive shall be construed as a definite and adversarial act against the Nation, subjecting the defaulting individuals to immediate, severe punitive actions under the National military and provisions of the Constitution, warned the NSCN (IM) collective leadership.
According to a statement issued by the MIP, NSCN (IM), the operational command structure of the Naga Army was divided into the Eastern Flank and the Western Flank by an official decree issued on September 3, 2019.
But the same decree was rescinded by an official directive issued by the party’s president on September 23, 2019.
Lt Gen Hanshi Ramsan was suspended and relieved of all organisational duties on February 16, 2023 due to his continued non-compliance with the directives of the collective leadership, it said.
On July 12, 2023, Hanshi Ramsan was terminated from active party membership and National service due to violations of the party’s discipline.
But Hanshi Ramsan instigated 12 senior Naga Army officers to publicly question the termination order via social media.
The NSCN (IM) said that it was the loyalists of Hanshi Ramsan who orchestrated a heist at the Punjab National Bank (PNB), Viewland Branch, Ukhrul and looted Rs 18.85 crore on November 30, 2023.
Meanwhile, the northern command of the Naga Army under the influence of Lt Gen Absalom Raman severed all communications with the general headquarters for over six months, violating vital military protocols and breaching party discipline, the collective leadership said.        
On January 19, 2024, Hanshi Ramsan executed a Term of Understanding (ToU) with Lt Gen Jackson Pfithu, self-styled Commander-in-Chief of NNC/FGN.
On March 27, 2024 during the 18th Lok Sabha elections, Hanshi Ramsan wilfully undermined the authority of the NSCN (IM) collective leadership by issuing an unauthorised public appeal that caused widespread confusion and institutional disorder, it said.
The MIP claimed that verified official communications revealed Col Mahongam (alias Angam), acting under the direct instructions of Hanshi Ramsan, engaged in unauthorised diplomatic proceedings with PS Haokip, president of the hostile Kuki National Organisation/Kuki National Army-Burma (KNO/KNA-B), culminating in a mutual agreement for cross-border logistical support.
On August 3, 2024, Lt Gen Absalom Raman issued a confidential directive all zonal commanders within the Eastern Flank, instructing them to maintain unauthorised operational and military ties with PDF Kachin, NNC/FGN in Upper Burma and the Sagaing Division, the Shanni (Red Shan) and the Myanmar military junta, it said.      
The termination of Hanshi Ramsan was revoked on August 12, 2025 after he formally acknowledged the authority of the collective leadership and later on February 17, 2026, he was designated as a Member of the Collective Leadership but he refused to take the oath of allegiance as a member of the collective leadership.
On June 16, 2026, Hanshi Ramsan, Ikato Chishi Swu, Victor Angami, Absalom Raman and Angyo Jacob Tangshang issued a public statement alleging that the Collective Leadership of the NSCN (IM) and Council Headquarters in Hebron had compromised the Naga National cause by engaging in meaningless negotiations with the Government of India, the MIP added.