IT News
Imphal, Dec 3: Lieutenant General Anthony Ningkhan Shimray took charge as the Commander-in-Chief of the Naga Army of the NSCN-IM yesterday. Commander-in-Chief of the Naga Army of the NSCN -IM is called as Longvibu by the outfit.
A statement of the MIP, GPRN/NSCN-IM said that Lieutenant General Anthony Ningkhan Shimray succeeded Lieutenant General Phungthing Shimrang after his term completes on Novemebr 29th this year.
“ Vice-President of the GPRN acknowledged Lieutenant General Phungthing Shimrang for his diligent and faithful service rendered to the Naga nation as Longvibu until his service term duly completed on the 28th of November 2017. His outstanding meritorious service and lifelong sacrifice for the Naga Sacred cause has gained him national recognition, thereof, Lieut. Gen. (Retd.) Phungthing Shimrang is inducted as an Executive Member of the Steering Committee with immediate effect. The outgoing Longvibu emphasized the role of the Naga Army in the national political movement, terming the Army as the “backbone” of any political nation”, the statement said.
“ On this day, the 2nd of Dec. 2017 while taking the charge of Longvibu, the successor pledged to honor Christ, the Naga Flag and the Naga Army Flag with his life. The charge was taken in prayer and jubilation at the General Head Quarter”, the statement said.
The statement furher said that on 27 September 2010, Lieut. Gen. Ningkhan Shimray was kidnapped by the Indian Agency, NIA at Kathmandu while he was on his way from Bangkok to Delhi to attend the Indo-Naga Political Talk. On 3rd October 2010, he was produced in a court in Delhi by the NIA with a fabricated accusation and imprisoned him for more than 5 years until his released on August 2, 2016. He was the Political Commissar of the NSCN and the Advisor to the Ato Kilonser of the GPRN prior to his new appointment.