Dimapur, Sept 6 NNN : There was a factional gun battle between NSCN factions in Dimapur today. Two cadres of NSCN-Khaplang were injured in the clash between the outfit with another NSCN faction led by Khole and Kitovi at a place called Thahekhu in Dimapur at around 7 am which lasted till 9 am.
According to an intelligence source, two sergeant majors of the NSCN-K identified as Mario Anal and James Kikon sustained bullet wounds in the clash. The official source informed that grenades and sophisticated weapons were used in the clash by both the warring groups.
It all began when NSCN-Khole/Kitovi group attacked the cadres of Khaplang faction at a house in Thahekhu, around 5 kilometres south of Dimapur main market. According to the source, one Khethovi, who was a town command of NSCN-Khole/Kitovi group in Dimapur had defected to Khaplang camp few weeks ago. In the last two days, Khethovi along with 30 cadres were camping in a house at Thahekhu village. On learning this, the rival group i.e, Khole/Kitovi faction of the NSCN attacked with heavy weapons including explosives on the house where NSCN-K cadres were camping.
The Khaplang group returned the ambush from the rival faction. In the ensuing gun battle the two sergeant majors of the Khaplang group were hurt. The clash continued for nearly hours, civil organisations and local clubs along with the church bodies intervened. While the civil organisations were trying their best to stop the clash, the Assam Rifles personnel also rushed in. At last the warring NSCN factions stopped.The Assam Rifles personnel tried to arrest the cadres of both the NSCN groups but the civil organisations prevented them from doing so. Vehicles were arranged by these civil organisations and took the NSCN-K cadres to a safer locality while the injured persons have been admitted in a hospital. It is speculated the NSCN cadres have been taken to their camp at Zunheboto.
On September 3, the NSCN-K as a gesture of “good faith” and in the “larger interests of the people” released self-style Sgt. Maj. Botai Wangnaoham s/o late Tampha Wangnaoham of Pumao village who hails from NSCN-Khole/Kitovi group unharmed in presence of local leaders and his family members.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/two-injured-in-nscn-factional-clashes/
