March 26, 2025
Shillong
In what can be shocking to the comrades within the Junta forces, a statement attributed to Commander S. Khuman has surfaced, making serious allegations against General Anthony Ningkhan Shimray, the Army Chief of NSCN-IM. The statement purportedly made two weeks ago, widely circulated on social media, accuses Shimray of large-scale financial embezzlement, collusion with the Indian Army, and betrayal of the Naga and Meitei insurgencies.
According to S. Khuman, General Shimray Shimray has misappropriated crores of rupees collected as “national tax” from the Naga people. While ordinary cadres struggle to afford basic necessities like food, shelter, and medical care, Shimray is alleged to be living a lavish lifestyle, driving high-end SUVs and frequently traveling abroad for shopping and cosmetic surgeries.
To divert attention from this financial misappropriation, NSCN-IM’s South East Command recently showcased the acquisition of advanced 7G drones and high-intensity bombs. However, Khuman claims this was staged by MNRF chief Aleng @ Atai and Commander Star Zimik to cover up the massive corruption within NSCN-IM’s leadership.
Khuman further alleges that Shimray has been secretly working with the Indian Army and its ally, the People’s Defense Force (PDF), against Naga and Meitei insurgents. He claims that in May 2024, PDF forces attacked NSCN-IM camps in Myothit, Myanmar, and three injured Naga fighters were ordered to surrender under the guise of being MNRF cadres.
Additionally, he accuses Shimray of leaking the locations of insurgent camps to enemy forces, resulting in repeated attacks against their own fighters. Another serious charge is that Shimray was behind the assassination of Arunachal Pradesh MLA Tirong Aboh on May 21, 2019. Khuman alleges that the killing was carried out by sharp shooters from Camp Hebron, under direct orders from Shimray, and that the motive was financial gain.
The statement also accuses Shimray of actively working to dismantle the Naga and Meitei insurgencies. It claims that his true mission is to bring all insurgent groups into mainstream peace talks, which is seen as a betrayal by more radical elements within the movement.
Shimray allegedly forced Meitei groups to return to Manipur from Myanmar under the guise of fighting Kuki militants, only for some to be left stranded due to border closures and forced into ceasefire agreements. In addition to these accusations, Khuman claims Shimray is deeply involved in the smuggling and illegal trade of arms.
He alleges that Shimray intercepted weapons from Kuki militants, took bribes from Kuki MLAs in exchange for returning them, but later staged the seizure of those weapons by the Assam Rifles in Kamjong. However, behind the scenes, he allegedly sold some of the arms to the Indian Army and collected the remaining stock from Somsai AR Camp in a secret midnight operation on December 12, 2023.
Another point raised in the statement is that on January 14, 2025, about 70 NSCN-IM cadres abandoned their positions in the Minthar-Teijang area of Myanmar despite appeals from Myanmar Army officials. The following day, NSCN-IM staged a public protest in Khonglo, Manipur, portraying it as an Indian Army raid to arrest their cadres.
According to Khuman, this was a staged event to mask Shimray’s deep ties with Indian security forces. The statement further alleges that Shimray has political ambitions and is working towards becoming the Chief Minister of Manipur. His alleged collaboration with Indian authorities, particularly in dismantling insurgent movements, is reportedly part of a larger plan to secure political rewards in the future.
Shimray is also accused of forcing NSCN-IM’s withdrawal from Myanmar to make way for attacks by PDF and Kuki militants, allegedly orchestrated with the help of the Indian Army. Khuman claims that this is part of a broader effort to force all insurgent groups into ceasefire agreements and end the armed struggle in the region. These allegations come at a time when dissent within NSCN-IM is already growing.
In April 2024, fourteen senior military officers revolted against Shimray’s leadership, questioning his loyalty and accusing him of working against the interests of the organization. This is not the first time Shimray has been at the center of controversy. He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2010 for attempting to procure arms from China. Released on bail in 2016, he was later appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Naga Army in December 2017.
In 2023, the NIA accused NSCN-IM’s Myanmar-based faction of supporting Meitei insurgents in infiltrating Indian territory, and now Khuman’s statement suggests that Shimray himself was leading these efforts. As of now, neither General Anthony Shimray nor NSCN-IM has responded to these serious allegations.
The accusations have added suspicion to Meitei and Naga groups who joined hands with the Junta forces. If true, this will give a huge blow to Meitei and Naga groups operating in Myanmar.
Till the time of filing this story, Northeast Diary couldn’t establish the authenticity of the content. Till then, readers discretion is advised.
