Two suspected NSCN-IM cadres killed in Manipur’s Noney district

Imphal: At least two people suspected to be the cadres of Naga insurgent group NSCN-IM died and one civilian sustained serious bullet injuries in what could be described as a retaliatory strike by a rival group in Manipur on Friday.

A well-armed militant group attacked and killed two suspected cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), a major Nagaland based insurgent outfit, at Rengpang village under Nungba police station in Manipur’s Noney district around 1.30 am on Friday, sources said. 

The Centre is currently engaged in a ceasefire agreement with five NSCN factions, including the Muivah-led NSCN-IM and several rounds of discussions have been held with the government in an effort to find a permanent solution to the decades-old vexed problem. 

The injured person has been shifted to a private hospital in Imphal for further treatment after being given first aid at the Nungba Community Health Centre, the sources added.

Three persons were also reportedly abducted by the militant group. State police and central security forces have launched combing operations to nab those miscreants in the violence. 

It may be noted that Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), another Naga insurgent outfit, earlier vowed to retaliate for what they claimed that one of his top leaders, Lt Diguplung alias Obed Kamei, regional chairman of Makuilong region, was allegedly captured by unknown armed miscreants on July 19 and later his body was found at Dailong villager under Tamenglong district next day (July 20). 

Many organisations belonging to the Zeliangrong community including Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland), Zeliangrong United Committee Manipur Valley and Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur blamed the killing on the NSCN IM.

They maintained that the suppression of the community by NSCN (IM) has nothing to do with Naga political struggle but it will create more trust deficit in society. They also demanded a logical explanation for the killing of Kamei and said that other Naga communities have their own insurgencies and political aspirations. 

Interestingly, the ZUF also signed a ‘Cessation of Operation’ agreement with both the Manipur and central governments to bring normalcy in the state in December last year.