Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 25
Barely a day after the joint forum of the Nagaland GBs and DBs declared a historic ceasefire between all warring Naga underground groups, Phek town today became a battlefield once again when three factions clashed in the early hours.
The seemingly peaceful lives of Phek citizens was jolted into reality when a reported FGN/NSCN-K combine-force and the NSCN-IM on the other, clashed around 4:14am. The FGN is involved in the combine is reported to be non-accordist.
It was informed that NSCN (IM) cadres had arrived in the town some months back. A fierce firefight commenced between the warring groups somewhere around Jericho-I colony which later spread out to Hebron-II, Christian Mission High School (CMHS) complex, Medical Colony and subsequently to the Phek Town Baptist Church (PTBC) compound.
The reports stated that the NSCN (K) FGN combined force fired first at the NSCN-IM cadres, who retaliated. The unexpected gun battle once more set off alarm in the already beleaguered minds of the Phek town citizens. Residents fled to safety. It was informed that around 40-60 NSCN (K)/FGN combined force had entered the town at around 1.00.am and attacked the NSCN-IM cadres, who were reported to have been camped at Satheri village. The gunfight is said to have lasted till 7.45.am. After a lull of about 2 hours the fight resumed at around 10.30.am. This would last till 2.00.pm. However, no causalities have been reported from either of the combating sides. Considering the nature of the fight, injuries nonetheless, are expected from both.
Following the fight, the district administration led by Deputy Commissioner Maong Aier, the Police and the Assam Rifles staged a flag march into the conflict areas, sources said. The public was also assured by the administration that their safety is the topmost priority.
When contacted DC Aier said that the factions were asked to vacate civilian-populated areas immediately and return to their designated camps. A security co-ordination meeting was held with the police and the Assam Rifles, he said. Sector magistrates, with security details have also been deployed in the affected areas.
A meeting was also held with the Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO). In the meeting a resolution demanding that the factions leave all civilian-populated areas, as well as demand fro cessation of all clashes, was made. The DC also informed that a cell was set up to monitor the situation. The GBs and the DBs of the area were also met where the groups were appealed to that they cease all hostilities and the civilian area.
The Chakhesang Mothers’ Association as well as the joint forum of the Nagaland GBs Federation and the Nagaland DBS Association has condemned the latest upsurge.
All transport and communications have come to a standstill. Educational Institution, commercial establishments and offices were closed for the entire day. Security forces and the district administration are on watch with high security being beefed.
Joint Forum flays clash
An unhappy joint forum of the Nagaland GBs Federation and the Nagaland DBs Association today condemned the factional clash in Phek, even as a formal declaration of ceasefire by all the Naga underground groups had been signed on July 24. All the groups had given a written commitment to observe a ceasefire, as declared at the Dimapur Deputy Commissioner’s office. The joint forum stated that while the entire details of the attack was under examination, the commander of the NSCN-K Chakhesang region is said to have assured that it was not involved in the attack “as they were upholding the five-point resolution.” The joint forum stated that whichever the faction may be, clashes and attacks should not be launched to ‘avoid confrontation between the forum and the defaulting group.’
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