Dimapur, Jun 27 : Cadres of the NSCN (IM) today razed the “NSCN/GPRN” headquarter based at Vihokhu village after two days of intense gun battle. Today’s gun battle started from 3 am and lasted till 12 noon. The fighting which broke on June 24 night ended with the camp going up in flames and leaving seven cadres dead inside the camp. However, it remains to be ascertained to which faction the slain cadres belonged.
Heavy gunfire and even explosions could be heard from nearby Vihokhu village, where the public, district administration, police and security forces had gathered and tried to intervene in the gun battle. Womenfolk carrying white flags and shouting slogans demanding restoration of peace, slowly marched to a check gate leading to the camp. The marching public was served warnings and intimidating blank shots from the NSCN (IM) cadres manning the check gate.The scene after today’s incident showed that NSCN (IM) cadres had overrun the camp, leaving forty three vehicles and almost all the dwelling burnt to cinders. A “NSCN/GPRN” functionary disclosed that around 150 to 200 heavily armed NSCN (IM) cadres laid siege to the camp and attacked the main check gate, later overpowering rival sentries. Also, information gathered from the public at the scene said that the NSCN (IM) cadres attacked from two flanks and overran the rival cadres who were defending the camp.
The “NSCN/GPRN” functionary informed that all his top leaders and commanders are still “intact” and they would carry out their “mission of attending Naga unity.” It is reported that the top leaders and commanders in the camp left the previous night when there was heavy rain.
A cadre belonging to the “NSCN/GPRN” who managed to escape from the gun battle and ran straight into the public procession at around 11: 38 am. The cadre informed that the attackers had taken position at all the strategic positions. All top functionaries have already left the camp and there is no one else, he added.
Casualties
Conflicting reports on the number of casualties are being received. However, seven dead cadres were recovered from the camp. Police said that four of them are said to be “NSCN/GPRN” cadres, two NSCN (IM) cadres and one “Kuki” person, who is still unidentified. The “NSCN/GPRN” cadres admitted to have had four casualties and two injuries; However, NSCN (IM) sources flatly denied that they suffered any casualty. “Brig” Phungting Shimrang of the NSCN (IM) said that his outfit suffered only one injury.
However, an “NSCN/GPRN” functionary attached with the Publicity Cell asserted that the NSCN (IM) suffered casualties. He claimed that ten bodies are lying at “Konyak Basti” near Vihokhu, which however are not “NSCN/GPRN” cadres.
Police has confirmed that a cadre of the NSCN (IM) was among the seven found slain in the camp. Meanwhile, reports have been received that in a separate battle at Setrongsh village near Doyapur sub-division two “NSCN/GPRN” cadres and a NSCN (IM) cadre have been killed. Police identified the “NSCN/GPRN” cadres as “sgt” Ekshe Sumi son of Ustuomi village of Satakha and “sgt major” Danial Pochury of Akhegho village in Meluri while the NSCN (IM) cadre has been identified as “sgt major” Venda Shan who is of “Burmese origin.”
An NSCN (IM) source informed that after getting confirmation about the arrival of three Maruti Gypsy vehicles at around 3:00am in the village’s area, the NSCN (IM) cadres surrounded them. In the ensuing gun battle, one of its cadres and two “NSCN/GPRN” cadres were killed.Moments of uncertainty
The hours this morning at Vihokhu were a mixture of tension and uncertainty, with the public and police fearing for the worst about the number of casualties inside the camp. Earlier, rumours had spread that the warring cadres were prepared to shoot at any one who tried to approach the camp and intervene. However, the womenfolk steadily marched on with the IRB and security forces closely following them, until they reached the check gates. At one point, at around 11:20 am, IRB personnel taking position at the paddy fields retaliated back when they were “fired upon”. An Assam Rifles jawan said that the armed cadres were shooting at the security forces and this was being responded to with fire. He informed that the IRB and the AR personnel have entered the camp and asked the public to move ahead.
NSCN (IM) cadres manning the check gate had even warned the marching womenfolk and the public not to move an inch forward.
Negotiations
The district administration, DMC chairperson, public leaders and GBs and DBs as well took to negotiating. An NSCN (IM) “major” who “negotiated” with the public and district administration demanded a four-hour period for them to regroup and leave. However the administration gave them only two hours. After one and half hours, at 12:30, NSCN (IM) cadres retreated towards Seithekima and Xelhoshe. The public rushed inside the camp.
“They (NSCN-IM cadres) were planning to hang out around here,” said an administrator. “But we were not going to allow that” he said.
Aftermath of battle
Ashes flew from what was before the incident thatched dwellings belonging to the “NSCN/GPRN” functionaries, the publicity cell “office”, the conference hall and other dwellings belonging to the outfit. 43 vehicles (2 Vans, 14 gypsies, 14 Boleros, 7 Maruti Cars, 2 Alto, 2 bikes, 1 Tata Indica, 1 Honda City) were totally burnt. A bulldozer at the site was also damaged and set on fire.
Womenfolk expecting the worst, from inside the camp began wailing and weeping after seeing two dead bodies near the check gate. Anxious civilians went about announcing that the public had arrived and asked for any injured cadre that could still be inside the camp, to step out for help.
Dead bodies were found near bunkers and in trenches; half-cooked meals were found placed on hearths while the smell of burning tyres permeated the air. Tin roofs were incinerated and crumbled sheets of metal while combat fatigues were strewn here and there; some people were seen even collecting empty shells inside the camp. Police, district administration, NGOs and public scoured the site. There are apprehensions that the situation may turn more volatile and take to a worst turn in the days to come.
Condolences
Condolence poured in from both the NSCN (IM) and the “GPRN/NSCN” over the death of their cadres today. “Brig.” Niki Sumi of the “NSCN/GPRN” saluted “the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in defense of Naga nation.” “May almighty God instill courage and pride to the families of our national heroes and martyrs,” he stated in a condolence message.
Also, the NSCN (IM) paid homage to late “sgt maj” Venda who was killed on June 25 at around 10 pm during an attack on an outpost at Tsetungse (Sangtam) village under Dhansiri sub-division in Dimapur. “The NSCN also express sympathy to the bereaved family members and pray that the almighty God bless and give strength to them to face this sorrow and tragedy,” it stated in a message issued through the MIP.
