1 killed, 5 hurt in clash between IM, Sumis
Source: The Sangai Express / Courtesy : TNN

Dimapur, December 30 2013: At least one person has been killed and five injured in the past 24 hours as cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) and a large group of Sumi tribals clashed at the designated camp of the outfit at Zunheboto town in Zunheboto district on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday morning, hundreds of people of the Sumi community, incensed over the 'molestation' of two of their women by four NSCN (IM) cadres and assault on two men on December 21, marched towards the outfit's designated camp, even as security forces set up barricades to protect it.

The situation turned worse after the agitators pelted stones at the camp and were reportedly fired at by the NSCN (IM) cadres from inside the camp.

One protester was killed and four others were injured hurt in clash between IM, Sumis in the violence.

The injured were brought down to Dimapur for treatment.

On Sunday morning, the agitators entered the designated camp of the NSCN (IM) according to sources.

There were reports of firing from both ends, resulting in the injury of one civilian, who has been taken to Delhi for treatment.

However, there were no reports of damage caused by them to the camp or casualties.

Sources said that the situation remained tense in the area even as the state government sent additional forces to deal with the agitating people.

The security arrangements by the district administration and police and the barricades set up by the security forces were not sufficient to stop the agitating group of people, who turned up in hundreds to "flush out" the NSCN (IM) from the area.

It may be mentioned that four NSCN (IM) cadres had waylaid a Zunheboto-bound vehicle near Aghuito town in Zunheboto district and allegedly attempted to rape and molest two female passengers and injured two men accompanying them in the early hours of December 21 .

The NSCN (IM) had identified the erring cadres as Sergeant Apam, Corporal Mahori and private Ninoto of Zasibitou Battalion.

The NSCN (IM) said they have been punished with rank demotion, rank retardation and been awarded hard labour imprisonment.

But the Sumi organizations are demanding that the erring cadres be handed over to the district administration.

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