Dimapur, December 29 (MExN): Three civilians, including a 9-year-old boy, sustained injuries today when armed cadres opened fire on a rival cadre at Electrical Colony, near Stella Higher Secondary School in Kohima, this morning. The victims including the minor and another, a shopkeeper, were shot during the firing reported to be between cadres of the GPRN/NSCN-Khole/Kitovi and NSCN-Khaplang.
The victims have been identified as one Vimazol Luho, 64 years, of Khuzama village presently residing in Agri Colony in Kohima; Raju Chhetri, 26 years, son of Top Bahadur Chhetri presently residing in Agri Colony (both sustained bullet wounds on their left legs) and 9-year-old Mulutso Chakhesang, also presently residing in Agri Colony. The little boy was seared by bullets on the fingers and left shoulder.
According to reports from Kohima, a number of GPRN/NSCN-Khole/Kitovi cadres came in a vehicle and ambushed a Maruti Gypsy, which was reportedly being driven by one “captain” Hokivi of the NSCN-Khaplang. Reports say that the attackers fired at the vehicle at a road intersection. The said “captain” however escaped, reports said.
All the injured civilians were rushed to Bethel Hospital for medical treatment, it was informed, while the minor was taken away by his guardian. Later in the day, Indian Reserve Police personnel conducted checking and frisking in and around the area of the incident. Two taxis – a parked van and the other a car were also damaged in the firing, sources said.
Further, a standoff between the same NSCN groups was reported in Zunheboto. At the time of filing this news report, no information of violence was received but the situation in Zunheboto town was said to be extremely tense.
Naga Hoho appeals groups to stop killings
Dimapur, December 29 (MExN): The Naga Hoho today lashed out at the recent upsurge in the conflict between the Naga factions, saying that innocent Naga civilians have now become the sufferers and victims of the factional war. Asking the “warring factions” to “to stop killings and to spare the civilian populated areas in towns and villages,” the Naga Hoho today said “cadres of all ranks and file should have ‘second thoughts before pulling the trigger in the name of Naga sovereignty.”
The Naga Hoho vehemently condemned the escalation of factional war vis-à-vis the recent spate of killings in different places including the incident that took place this morning in Kohima. In a press note issued through its president Keviletuo Kiewhuo and general secretary P Chuba Ozukum, the Naga Hoho called the bloodshed “unfortunate that only the innocent civilians were injured during the cross firing becoming the victims of fratricidal killings.”
The Naga Hoho has urged the district administration and the civic bodies to keep vigil to avert further escalation of the ongoing violence.
Listen to voice of people: Imchen
Dimapur, December 29 (MExN): Reacting to today’s factional shooting in Kohima that left three civilian injured, Home Minister of Nagaland Imkong L Imchen today said “the repeated appeals of the government, NGOs, civil society and individuals are not being given its due weightage but those perpetrators are happy only pulling the triggers of their gun.”
Condemning the firing incident, which occurred this morning, Imchen said, “It will be much better if you people listen to the voice of the Nagas not to kill each other but give peace a chance.” He appealed to all concerned Naga citizens to oppose to this violent culture to provide room for peace. The Home Minister also expressed sympathy for the families of the injured and said that the Government of Nagaland will extend assistance to the injured persons. No mention was made yet again concerning what action or measure the Nagaland government would actually take this time to curb the situation, which is spiraling out of control.
‘Our colony is not a battlefield’
Dimapur, December 29 (MExN): Angry citizens of Electrical Colony in Kohima today vehemently sent out a clear message of warning that the perpetrators of the firing that took place this morning within the colony that left three persons severely injured, would be ‘accountable unto death.’ They are not so-called “revolutionary patriots” but nefarious, the citizen stated. A 9 year old, one Mulutso and another, a Raju were injured in today’s firing.
“The spirit and soul of our locality is greater and bigger than your AK 47s because your crimes are not only crimes against our colony but it is totally a crime against humanity which you will hold accountable even in death,” Kohima Electrical Colony Youth Organisation (ECYO) stated in a note received here. The organization issued the note through its president Kusolie Yhokha and vice president Sungjemnochet.
The ECYO has also sent out clear message to the perpetrators that their colony “is not a battlefield or a dumping ground” but a locality where civilized people reside at peace with each other.
ECYO expressed ‘extreme anger’ and deep sadness that the warring groups’ action is even more repulsive that it took place during a period of celebration. The perpetrators are seeking to destroy the very fabric of society, the organization reminded.
“We condemn with the strongest means against the nefarious and dastardly act of perpetrating injury and causing public disorder in the heart of our colony this morning,” ECYO stated. The note added that the firing created grave destruction of properties including two local taxis.
“We are particularly disturbed that the perpetrators of these dastardly acts and their sponsors are only well known for their nefarious activities in the guise of national movement glorifying themselves as revolutionary patriots which on the contrary, their activities speaks volume.” It appealed to all the peace loving citizens to condemn this heinous act and also prayerfully wish the injured members in the firing speedy recovery.
