A new twist to Songlung gunbattle
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 24 2013: The six cadres of NSCN (K), who were claimed to have been gunned down during 'a co-ordinated cordon search operation launched by security forces of the Nonei Battalion under the aegis of Red Shield Division' in between K Songlung and Khunman areas under Saparmeina Police Station yesterday, had actually gone with the troops of 10-Assam Rifles to bust a camp of NSCN (IM), the villagers have claimed.

The villagers came to RIMS Mortuary to identify the dead bodies today.

They told media persons that the cadres had gone in plain clothes without any arms.

They visited the Assam Rifles Camp on invitation from Col Ajay Sharma for a cup of tea on June 22 morning.

However, their mobile phones remained switched off since then.

They were killed by the security forces in cold blood and not in encounter, the villagers claimed.

A new twist to Songlung gunbattle

Vice Chairman of Committee for Alternative Arrangement formed under UNC, Ashinpou Gangmei said that the villagers strongly condemned the claim of 10-AR that the six cadres of NSCN (K) were eliminated in an encounter.

"They were killed in the custody of the Assam Rifles in cold blood.

They had gone with Major Gagan on the invitation from Col Ajay Sharma of 10-Assam Rifles", Ashinpou asserted, adding that the Naga civil society organizations are prepared to launch intense agitations against this cold-blooded murder.

Ashinpou further alleged that Col Ajay Sharma had earlier killed a cadre of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) near Dolang in a fake encounter on the intervening night of January 31 and February 1 this year.

Yesterday's incident was the second fake encounter carried out by 10-Assam Rifles under the command of Col Ajay Sharma.

The villagers had even urged the authorities to terminate Col Ajay Sharma and a Magisterial Inquiry was also conducted in connection with the first fake encounter case, he disclosed.

Meanwhile, the slain cadres of NSCN (K) have been identified as Leikam Thaimei (37) s/o (late) Khamdinglung Thaimei of Tousimjang Village of Tamenglong district, Chungjanglung Gangmei (36) s/o Kapungsing Gangmei of Khoupum Tungnejang Village, Ch Ngoubigou (26) s/o Ch Nariyanlok of Inem Village under Tousem Sub-Division of Tamenglong district, Raja Rongmei (36) of Longmai Part-I, Th Reikampou (37) of Khoupum and Majadai (36) of Oinamlong.

All slain cadres sustained multiple bullet injuries and the combat dresses worn by some cadres were found to be unfitting.

It may be noted here that PIB Defence Wing had issued a statement yesterday claiming that the security forces launched a massive cordon and search in Kangchup and its adjacent areas after receiving inputs about presence of militants from early Sunday morning.

During the course of the operation, a group of heavily armed militants ran into the security forces and opened fire upon them.

The security forces also retaliated, resulting in a heavy exchange of fire that led to the elimination of six militants and recovering four AK-47 Rifles, one M-16 Rifle, one A-3 rifle, seven magazines of AK-47, two magazines of M-16, 47 live rounds of AK-47 and 38 live rounds of M-16 .