Imphal, October 12: One NSCN-IM cadre has been killed in the wee hours today at Tamenglong headquarters as a result of the ongoing factional killing between the NSCN-K and the NSCN-IM that has been occurring off and on for quite sometime now.

The NSCN-K, Zeliang-rong Region said that at 3.10 am today, a cadre of the NSCN-IM was pulled out from a house and shot dead near the gate of Tameng-long hospital.

The deceased has been identified as Pvt Ramthing.

The NSCN-K's information and publicity incharge, said they are mainly targeting Tangkhuls in the Zeliangrong Region but innocent Tangkhuls will be spared.

The statement said many a time they had restraint from ambushing the NSCN-IM cadres as personnel of the Assam Rifles accompany them.

It also warned that in future his outfit would not hesitate to take on the NSCN-IM even if there is presence of Assam Rifles personnel in the midst of the rival faction.

It further said Indian security forces should not blame them (NSCN-K) with regard to the ceasefire ground rules in the event of the NSCN-K ambushing them (AR and NSCN-IM).

On the other hand, expressing deep anger, the NSCN-IM said that it is just a matter of short period that the NSCN-K and the Meitei based UG elements would be wiped out from Naga areas.

NSCN-IM deputy kilonser for MIP, Kraibo Chawang, while reacting to today's killing of the NSCN-IM cadre at Tamenglong H.Q, said that earlier the NSCN-K cadres came to Tamei under Tamenglong district and shot dead a theological student and thereafter carried out other anti-social activities in the Zeliangrong Region.

Kraibo further stated the NSCN-K along with the MPA cadres are trying their best to disturb the ongoing "Naga peace process" by creating lawlessness in the region.

"The Khaplang group has no goals and objective but only trying to spoilt the Naga peace process", quipped the NSCN-IM leader.

Kraibo then said that the case of the NSCN-K has been hit-and-run nature.

The NSCN-IM leader also accused the Assam Rifles for doing too little.

He alleged that today's killing at Tamenglong H.Q, had been done in full knowledge of the Assam Rifles.

However, Kraibo said that the NSCN-IM has taken up full security measures with all out effort to wipe out the combined force of the MPA and the NSCN-K from the Naga areas.

"The only purpose of the Khaplang gang and the MPA has been to serve the Manipur valley", said Kraibo adding, "but ours (NSCN-IM) is to maintain good relation with all the indigenous people in the region".

Meanwhile, the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region has disclosed that the NSCN-IM under the command of Brig.

Ramkathing is training PULF cadres somewhere in Tamenglong district.

Comment