6 killed in clash among UGs at Tamenglong
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 21 2012:
At least two civilians and four cadres of NSCN-K and ZUF have been killed in a gun battle with the rival NSCN (IM).
The gun battle took place in the remote Haochong village, located about 68 Kms North of Nungba police station in Tamenglong district at about 2.30 am today, informed a source.
Cadres of NSCN-K and ZUF were camping together at Haochong when they were attacked suddenly by rival NSCN-IM cadres.
Two NSCN-K cadres and one cadre of ZUF were killed in the attack.
Moreover, two civilians�� one woman and a man from Haochong village and another rebel cadre were also killed.
It could not ascertained till the time of filing this report to which group the fourth slain cadre belonged.
However, another source informed that the gun battle did not involve NSCN-IM.
The battle was fought between the NSCN-K and ZUF cadres who were camping together, and the two civilians were killed by stray bullets.
Newmai News Network reports that at least six people, including two civilians and four Naga militants were killed and another six injured in a heavy shootout reportedly ignited after a brawl in the village of Houchong in Tamenlong district of Manipur in the wee hours of Thursday, police sources said in Imphal.
The heavy exchange of fire took place around 2.30 am among a group of NSCN-K and Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) militants inside a house in Houchong village when the unspecified number of heavily armed militants from both the Naga militant groups opened fire among themselves after a brawl, killing two civilians and another four militants, and injuring six others, the police source said.
Houchong village in Tamenglong district is about 10 kms from Noney.
The source further said the two civilians killed in the shootout included the owner of the house where the incident occurred and a neighbour.
They have been identified as Nk Gakhujiba 70, the house owner and Meijiru 55 .
It is said that about 40 militants from NSCN-K and ZUF have been camping and dawdling in the village of Houchong for the last few days.
The two deceased civilians have been identified as Merijiliu (55) and MK Kaikhujba (70).Both of them belonged to Haochong village.
Both of them were hit and killed by stray bullets when they were sleeping on their beds.
Of the four rebel cadres killed in the gun fight, one has been identified as Sgt Maj M Pao of NSCN-K.Even as Tamenglong District Police have moved to the site of gun battle, they have not been providing any definite information.
In the meantime, many leaders of Zeliangrong frontal organisations have moved into the area.
Notably, two ZUF cadres were killed in another clash with NSCN-IM cadres at Nungba on May 30 .
This was preceded by another attack on NSCN-IM by ZUF at a place between Taoshang and Leishok villages under Khoupum PS on October 9 last year in which five NSCN-IM cadres and a civilian driver were killed.
Factional clashes have been rocking Nagaland of late too, with at least four cadres belonging to two different rival factions of the NSCN killed in a clash at Zunheboto district on June 19 .
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