6 including 3 'K' men killed in shoot-out
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, June 21 2012: At least six people, including two civilians and four Naga militants were killed and another six injured in a heavy shoot-out reportedly ignited after a brawl in the village of Houchong under Noney police station in Tamenlong district of Manipur in the wee hours of Thursday, police sources in Imphal said.

NSCN (K) and ZUF claimed it was an attack by NSCN (IM) but the latter has strongly refuted.

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 started opening 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 km 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 the neighbor as Meijiru (55) .

Among the four militants killed, the identities of three of them, all members of NSCN (K), have been established as Captain Mapou s/o Langoinglung of Rangkekiulong, A Lungchui Riamei s/o Keigomang of Azuram village and E Zakiel s/o Mathiuthoi of Oinamlong village.

Among the injured, three of them have been identified as Thuankulung s/o Sagangai of Awangkhul, Pouthu of Cheangdai village and Chingkhiurei of Bamdamgai.

Thuankulung and Chingkhiurei are said to be ZUF cadres while Pouthu is NSCN (K) cadre.

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.

On However, NSCN (K) and ZUF claimed that the incident was an attack by armed cadres of NSCN (IM).

The latter has strongly refuted.

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, a spokesperson of NSCN (IM) Zeliangrong region clarified that higher authority of the group had not given any order for attacking NSCN (K) and ZUF.

So, there is no question of any attack from the side of NSCN (IM) .

According to local villagers, since cadres of NSCN (K) and ZUF have been taking shelter at the village, shoot-out was most probably among the armed cadres of the two groups.

Hearing the report of the shoot-out, a combined team led by troops of 10 Assam Rifles rushed in to Haochong and recovered three unexploded hand grenades and a large number of fired cartridges.

However, the dead bodies have not yet been brought here till late evening.

Meanwhile, Noney police have registered a case in connection with the incident.

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