DIMAPUR, JUNE 19 (MExN): On Tuesday alone, five persons – three from NSCN (K) and two from GPRN/NSCN were killed in three separate incidents under Zunheboto district.
Three cadres of the NSCN (K) were killed and two injured when they were attacked by GPRN/NSCN cadres near Zhekiye village at around 4:30 am and the gunfight continued till 6 am. The victims were identified as “Lieut” Khezheto of Tichibami village under Suruhuto, “2nd Lieut” Ahovi of Vihokhu village and one “Corp” from Konyak community who succumbed on his way for medical attention. Two other cadres of NSCN (K) were also reportedly injured.
According to sources from the GPRN/NSCN Sumi region, two SLRs, three Thailand made hand grenades and around 400-500 rounds of ammunition belonging to the NSCN (K) were recovered by the police.
Sources at Khehoi designated camp appeared to justify the “attack” when it said, “We have to push them back when they come to our kitchen.” Zhekiye village area is reportedly the stronghold of GPRN/NSCN and very close to its designated camp, Ghukiye.
Seen as retaliation to Zhekiye incident, two civilian workers of the GPRN/NSCN were shot dead by NSCN (K) at Asukhomi and Lhitshami villages.
GPRN/NSCN source said that NSCN (K) cadres abducted one of its members, “Leacy” Nikheto Kiba from his residence at Asukhomi village at around 8 am. He was blindfolded with hands and legs tied and taken to Naltoqa where he was shot dead. The victim was reportedly getting ready to go to field when NSCN (K) cadres came in a Maruti Gypsy and took him away.
Thereafter, in the late afternoon, another GPRN/NSCN civilian worker in the rank of “Raje Peyu” identified as Ikishe of Lhitshami village was shot dead by NSCN (K) cadres while he was working in the field.
GPRN/NSCN functionary at Khehoi described the incidents as “unfortunate” saying that its men were unarmed and not in conflict. “They are from the civilian wing almost like public. This is more or less terrorism,” the source asserted. “If they continue like this, I don’t think we can continue to accept their ideas,” the source added.
