Kohima, March 18 2009:: Even though various civil societies based in Nagaland and government have been appealing for cessation of fighting between the warring factions of Naga underground groups, factional fight continued near Liphi village under Bhandari sub division under Wokha district in Nagaland yesterday.

In the gun battle, a hardcore NSCN-IM cadre identified as 'ss sgt' Khole Mao of Shajouba village, Tadubi sub-division of Senapati district of Manipur and four other NSCN-IM cadres were injured.

Sources revealed that about 60 activists from the two NSCN factions fired at each other in the encounter lasted for almost two hours.

Meanwhile, Nagaland Home minister, Imkong L Imchen while condemning the incident in Wokha district between the NSCN-IM and NSCN-K has said that the incident was totally unwarranted.

In a statement issued here today, the Home minister said such act should be condemned by one and all in the context of the present ongoing peace talk between the different Naga underground faction with the objective of forging unity and a common platform.

He also said that Nagas are asking for peace and unity among the Naga factions which was clearly made known during the recently concluded 'Naga Consultative Meet' under the theme "One dream, one future".

He also requested both the factions of NSCN to stay away from such kind of unnecessary confrontation.

Further, various other social organizations including Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights, Naga Students' Federation and churches have condemned the incident saying that it has negated the true sense of reconciliation, peace and unity and also asked the factions to stop such clashes.