2 ZUF cadres killed, one 'K' man injured in clash with NSCN-IM
Fresh gun-battle shattered peace in Tamenglong
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei and NNN
Tamenglong/Imphal, May 30 2012:
At least two cadres of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) were killed while another sustained injuries in a fresh fierce gun battle between NSCN-IM and ZUF which broke out at a spot in between Oktan and Ijeirong village under Tamenglong police station since early morning today.
The shoot out which erupted at around 6 am reportedly continued till 2 pm.
The two slain ZUF cadres were identifying as 'lance corporal' Diluanthai Panmei (18) s/o Dimthuilung of Touseng village and Philemon Riamei (19) of Tausemjang under Khoupum police station.
A condolence service of the two slain ZUF cadres was held at Longmai (Noney) late evening today.
On the other hand, there was no causality on the side of NSCN-IM.
A police source confirmed that there has been heavy exchange of fire between armed cadres of ZUF and NSCN-IM, but there has been no official confirmation of the casualty, though it has been learnt through sources that there has been some casualty on the ZUF side.
A reliable source in NSCN- IM claimed that today's incident was not a clash but an attack by four combined forces of Indian army, ZUF, NSCN-K and NNC at the place where NSCN- IM cadres were staying.
"We have sufficient evidence to prove that Indian Army was among the combined forces which carried out the attack", the source added.
The source further claimed that at least two cadres of ZUF were gunned down and one NSCN-K cadre identified as one Jordon of Tausemjang village under Khoupum police station was critically injured in the gun fight.
Meanwhile, police source informed that troops of 10 Assam Rifles have rushed to the area where the exchange of fire between armed cadres of NSCN-IM and ZUF took place.
It may be recalled that there had been several exchanges of fire between the armed cadres of ZUF and NSCN-IM in the past in Tamenglong district.
These confrontations are suspected to be over the issue of area dominance by the two armed groups.