"The recent change of leadership within the National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Khaplang (NSCN-K) further draws attention to the future of the group and that of the role it plays not only in Myanmar’s peace process but also the country’s ethnic landscape. 1 On 17 August, the group removed Lt-Gen Khango Konyak, who is a western Naga and an Indian national, from his role as chairman following a three-day meeting from 15-17 August at its HQ in Taga. Konyak, 70, is a Naga of Indian origin and a China-trained rebel, he had taken over as chairman of the NSCN-K after Khaplang died in June 2017 after a prolonged illness.2 He was replaced by Yung Aung, the deputy minister of the NSCN-K defence department, as interim chairman and also the head of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland (GPRN) which holds sway over the Naga inhabited region in Myanmar’s northern Sagaing Division. Yung Aung, 45, is the nephew of the group’s founder SS Khaplang and is a Hemi Naga from Myanmar. The move has been seen by many as an attempt by the Myanmar Naga to expel their Indian brethren. How this will change the situation in regards to the peace processes in India and Myanmar remains unclear. According to reports, Yung Aung has deep links with China and maintains close ties with the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) ‘commander-inchief’ Paresh Baruah and the Manipuri militant leadership.3 According to an NSCN-K statement, Konyak had been impeached because He was found guilty of absolute control of powers and functions without collective leadership, nondistribution of powers and functions exposing a one-man government policy, incompatible traits…4 However, an NSCN-K official based in India said, “For quite some time, Konyak was unable to assume an active role in the organisation and discharge his duties due to his sickness.’ Also, He had been away from Taga for a long time which widened the gulf that existed between him and other top leaders,” 5 In addition, there appear to be some issues in relation to tribal affiliations. A number of senior leaders were unhappy at his appointment. Many of them belong to the Pangmi tribe, a conglomerate of several tribes inhabiting a large area from the border in Arunachal Pradesh to the hills bordering Hukawng Valley in Myanmar. 6..."