NSCN-IM camp busted, 8 cadres held; tense situation grips Ukhrul town
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Imphal, July 13 2014: Barely 24 hours after the assassination of former Ukhrul ADC Vice Chairman Ngalangzar Malue, NSCN-IM's Wung region tactical headquarters located at Phungreitang, Ukhrul town was busted today.

Moreover eight cadres of the outfit were also apprehended together with arms and ammunition.

A combined team of police commandos and Indian Reserve Battalion kept Ukhrul town under siege since last night.

Sources said that the combined raided the tactical head- quarters at 4.30 am today.

The whole operation was conducted under the supervision of DIG Range IV Kh Chandramani.

On learning about the ambush laid by suspected NSCN -IM cadres at Finch Corner along Imphal-Ukhrul road last morning where Ukhrul ADC Member Ngalangzar was killed, the police team led by DIG Chandramani moved to Ukhrul town.

A scene of controntation between local womenfolk and police on a road leading to Ukhrul district Hqs

In the course of raiding the tactical headquarters, NSCN-IM's S/S Sgt Wangkepam Raiping (31) of Tushar village, S/S Sgt Major Issaicher Jajo (34) of Ningthi village, S/S Cpl VL Shimraygam of Tuinem village, Pvt Winki (25) from Mon district, Nagaland, S/S L Cpl Shepachi (22) from Phek district, Nagaland, Pvt Jongjee (25) from Wangtha, Arunachal Pradeh, S/S L Cpl Somrei (27) of Kangpat, Ukhrul district and S/S Sgt Khareithing Mung (33) of Allithang, Ukhrul were apprehended.

Two pressure bombs, 14 wireless sets, four magazines of AK 47, two live rounds, seven laptops, two desktop computer sets and a large volume of NSCN-IM documents dated between 1981 and 2014 were seized from their possession.

Apart from stringent security measures put in place at Ukhrul town, the district Magistrate has issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC.

Moreover, the Government has made necessary arrangements to open a police commando post at Ukhrul town, the sources added.

On the other hand, while interaction with this correspondent, an elderly person, asked what would happen in the nightfall as the whole area has been cordoned off by security personal with addi- tional re-enforcement teams coming from Imphal.

Tension ran high in the district headquarters and people were panicky, and una- ware about what may unfold next.

The incensed public blocked all the highways connecting to the district headquarters; one at Dungrei junction and another on the old road connecting to the district headquarters from the western side of Ukhrul.

All vehicular traffic were halted at the Dungrei junction.

Womenfolk with placards reading "We want peace", "Withdrawing all additional state forces deployed in the district" etc.

The public were confronting against promulgation of 144 CrPC in the town, TNL president Artax A Shimray in the interest of general public submitted a representation to the District Magistrate for immediate revocation of 144 CrPC.

Taking serious note of the deployment of additional state forces at the district headquarters, Artax said that this has created unnecessary tension and fear to innocent civilian and children.

He appealed to the Government restrain itself from resorting to any form of violent.