Mizzima
Intense rivalry between two Naga armed groups has resulted in three separate clashes within the Naga Self-Administered Zone this month, as the factions vie for territorial legitimacy and control over the strategic Pansaung border trade route with India.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang/Ang Mai (NSCN-AM) and the Yung Aung faction (NSCN-YA) have engaged in retaliatory strikes across Nanyun, Hkamti, and Lahe townships since 9 January, 2026.
The first clash occurred at Khamtaing village, Pansaung area, Nanyun township, at 5:00 am on 9 January. The second conflict occurred on 12 January at around 6:00 am in Hkamti Township between Tagar and Nanphar villages, and the third clash took place at approximately 1:00 am on 24 January in Tonki village between Lahe and Nanyun townships.
The two groups, the Naga National Socialist Council-Ang Mai (NSCN-AM) and the Naga National Socialist Council-Yung Aung (NSCN-YA) are competing for legitimacy and territory, according to local political observers.
“This month, there have been three clashes. The locals suffer because they are reduced to ‘grass under the fighting bulls.’ We are concerned that miscommunications could result in villagers being accused, arrested, or killed. This has happened before, and we don’t want to see it again,” a Naga politician told Mizzima on 25 January.
Since the group split into two factions, they have been fighting to build tax collecting gates, establish territorial dominance, and establish themselves as the “official” representative body of the Naga people, he said.
Two NSCN/Ang Mai members were killed and one was injured in the first attack, which was carried out by the NSCN/YA faction. In retribution for that act, the Ang Mai group assaulted and captured a Yung Aung group camp in the second conflict.
During the third clash, NSCN-AM’s Mobile Battalion (6) launched an attack that reportedly injured three NSCN-YA members. However, Mizzima has not independently confirmed these casualty figures.
Following the death of NSCN Chairman Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang in 2017, his nephew Yung Aung assumed leadership.
Ang Mai, the former Commander-in-Chief who was later ousted from the group, formed his own group in 2023, leading to the present territorial issues.
The Yung Aung group is based in Nanyun Township. While they established a ceasefire at the divisional-level with the Myanmar authorities before 2021, the military attacked their headquarters in 2019-2020, essentially nullifying the agreement. However, direct clashes between them are still uncommon, said a local politician.
The Ang Mai group is based in Lahe township and consists of several hundred troops. They maintain some understanding with the Military Commission, he added.
According to him, the Military Commission is primarily targeting the People’s Defense Forces that arose after the Spring Revolution, and aims to prevent ethnic groups – even those that are not friends – from becoming adversaries.
On 15 January, the Tangshang Naga Students’ Association released a statement denouncing the dispute between the two factions and calling for dialogue to find a peaceful settlement.
According to the association’s statement, the Naga region’s residents are already subject to the Military Commission’s forced conscription, and these internal disputes only serve to exacerbate the community’s general suffering, dread, and division.
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