Kohima, March 24: Five NSCN (IM) cadres were reportedly killed and injured seven seriously in the factional fights with the NSCN (K) early this morning in Suruhoto under Zunheboto district of Nagaland.

According to sources, about 60 well-armed cadres of the NSCN (IM) attacked the designated camp of the NSCN (K) located in Suruhoto under Nagaland�s Zunheboto district at about 5.20 AM this morning.

However, the NSCN (K) retaliated and killed at least 5 cadres of the NSCN (IM) and injuring 7 including the commander of the group seriously.

The NSCN (K) further claimed that 2 dead bodies were buried inside the jungle while the Police personnel took only the remaining 3 to Suruhoto Police Station.

Talking to NEPS over phone from somewhere Indo-Myanmar border, NSCN (K) Kilonser (Minister) Kughalu Mulatonu said about 60 well-armed cadres of the NSCN (IM) descended to designated camp of the NSCN (K) at Suruhoto in early this morning and started attacking their camp at about 5.20 AM In the retaliation, 5 NSCN (IM) cadres were killed, though only 3 dead bodies were retrieved by the Police personnel and taken to the Suruhoto Police Station while 2 buried inside the jungle, the NSCN (K) leader stated.

It may be mentioned that the NSCN (IM) had earlier on March 12 attacked the Cease Fire Supervisory Board (CFSB) office of the NSCN (K) located in Mon town, killing 1 cadre and injuring 2 seriously of the outfit (NSCN-K).

According to Police, reinforcement of state and paramilitary forces were rushed to the site of factional clashes in Suruhoto soon after the news of NSCN (IM) attack on the NSCK (K)�s designated camp spread.

But the factional fight is reported to have continued till the filing of this report at 6.13 PM.

Terming the recent stepped up offensive attacks on the NSCN (K) as "desperate" attempt of General Secretary of the NSCN-IM, Th Muivah to divert the attention of the deadlock of their talks with New Delhi, Mulatonu said their organization was not deterred by �such terrorist acts of the NSCN (IM)." He said his organization would retaliate against such attacks and warned an uprising by the Nagas against the �terrorist acts of the NSCN (IM) on the behest of Muivah." "Muivah wants to operate against the NSCN (K) but his boys are simply dying for nothing," Mulatonu said.

"Because Muivah is no more fighting for sovereignty and also his demand of Naga integration has been rejected by New Delhi." "Therefore there is likely to be division between the Sumis and the Tangkhuls within the NSCN (IM)," he further stated.

The NSCN (K) Kilonser also lamented on the ongoing clashes where the Nagas were dying in the hands of Nagas when Muivah was "busy making trips to Agra, Ranikhet, Jaipur and Taj Mahal." "Does it make any sense," he questioned.

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