Thursday, June 05, 2008

15 NSCN cadres killed in fierce Dimapur faction fights

By : Newmai News Network

Dimapur, Jun 4: In what could be termed as one of the fiercest gunbattles in Nagaland after the May 16 incident in recent times, 15 cadres of the NSCN factions were killed in separate incidents on Wednesday in and around Dimapur in clashes between the two warring factions.

With regard to the first incident, there were contradictory reports on the manner of the clashes. While the NSCN(IM) claimed that the outfit retaliated to an attack launched by the NSCN(Unification), the latter group said otherwise.

Reports said that cadres of the NSCN(IM) heading from Seithikima village encountered the cadres of NSCN(Unification) near village Aoyim and Xelhozhe killing 12 cadres, while one has succumbed to injuries later on the way to a hospital.

However, the NSCN(IM) claimed that 12 arms were captured from the rival group.

Following today's incident some people torched a house of NSCN(IM) lieutenant col. Elijah at Purana bazar in Dimapur today, according to the NSCN(IM).

In the second incident, three NSCN(IM) cadres were shot at by the NSCN(Unification) cadres at Signal Bosti in Dimapur, in which two died at the spot while one is fighting for his life at a hospital.

With regard to the first incident, the shootout occurred some 14 kms away from proper Dimapur which is at the Patkai College area near the National Highway-39.

Reports also said that some seven cadres of the NSCN(Unification) were hurt in the clash and two of them were in serious condition.

The identities of the 11 cadres killed in today's incident are Corpl. Ikato of Hokhuzhe, Lt. Hokuto of Vihokhu, Sgt.Maj Avika of Zuheshe, Sgt Samapu of Zuheshe, Sgt Shitopa of Old Showoba, Sgt Vilato of Old Shena, Sgt Huka of Luvishe New, Sgt Maj Vikheto of Kotharu village, Capt. Hekuto of Yemishe village, 2nd Lt. Kughato of Kotharu village and 2nd Lt. Kitovi of Satakha while the last names are yet to be ascertained.

According to the reports, a mass burial for the 12 cadres killed was arranged at a village called Nehotu.

When Dimapur police rushed to the spot at around 6.30 everything was over and only the dead bodies were found.

As a follow up security measure, two to three platoons of IRB were deployed in the area where the clash took place.

In the second incident, three cadres of the NSCN factions were shot dead but the identity of the factions and names of the victims could not be established.

It is pertinent to note that 14 cadres of the NSCN(Unification) were killed on May 16 in a clash between the two factions near Patkai College. Following that incident, a mob wave was built up and in the process a civilian was killed.The mob also attacked the NSCN(IM)'s Cease Fire Monitoring Cell office after the incident.

Meanwhile, the NSCN(IM) in a swift statement said that the "gang members of Kitovi- Mulatuno faced second massacre when 13 members died in the encounter at Qhelhozhe Basti when they attacked the Naga Army of NSCN in the morning at around 3.30 am.”

In the fierce fight the NSCN(IM) also captured 12 arms. One gang member surrendered to the Naga Army and several of them were also injured. The casualty on the NSCN side is one injury in the hand," claimed the NSCN(IM) statement.

The outfit stated that the laid down official guideline to the Naga Army is not to go for offensives. But once attacked the message must be clear that NSCN(IM) knows how to take control of any attack under any circumstances.

"The earlier occasion on May 16, 2008 was the first massacre when at Seitikhima C near Patkai Christian College, 24 of the Mulatuno-Kitovi gang members died in the open confrontation. In that incident too the Naga Army of NSCN was attacked in the morning at 5.30 am. Though heavily outnumbered, the small force of NSCN routed the gang members and captured 11 arms,” said the NSCN(IM).

It then stated that out of desperation and panic, "The Mulatuno-Kitovi gang members organized a public mob and targeted the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell at Diphupar, Dimapur and partly burnt the building. Not satisfied, they attacked and burnt the houses of four Naga Army officials at Diphupar and Wungram Colony. This was the most demeaning and despicable show of the mob's involvement (mostly Sumis) in the factional fight.


“But this same motley crowd turned their heads away when innocent public including students and chaplain were killed by the same gang who attacked NSCN.”
"This time too the same pattern was followed. The hoodlums of this gang of around nine members with arms attacked the residence of one Lt Col Elijah near Purana bazar and torched the house. However, the neighboring public put off the fire in time,” added the NSCN(IM) statement.


The Imphal Free Press

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