DIMAPUR, APRIL 16 (MExN): In connection with the increased factional clashes, the Cease Fire Monitoring Cell of the NSCN (IM) held an emergency meeting with Lt. Gen (Rtd) R.V. Kulkarni, the Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group at Circuit House, Dimapur today. Ceasefire Monitoring Cell Convenor, Brig Phungthing of the NSCN (IM), said the recent incidents of violence at Bungshang and Amiphoto had been the main topic of discussion. Phungthing emphasized that the tension had been boiling for a long time but the Government of India, Home Ministry and the Assam Rifles had failed miserably to contain the situation and accused the GOI of lending practical support to the NSCN (K). Talking of yesterday’s incident in Amiphoto Colony, Zunheboto, Phungthing claimed that during the firing, the NSCN (K) cadres had run up to the Assam Rifles camp and used their bunkers to fire at the NSCN (IM). “They are saying that they are neutral but how can there be peace when they are involving in indirect patronization?” he questioned and added that it was obvious that the GoI was lending practical support to the NSCN (K) as they were allowed to reside in public populated areas. Phungthing said that they had put forward their grievances during the meeting and now the decision was up to them.
Director General of Police J Changkija, when contacted, said today’s meeting revolved around how to diffuse the present state of affairs at Zunheboto “because fighting will only cause harassment to the public.” Security has been reinforced in the area, he informed.
From Zunheboto, newly-appointed DC Daniel Longchar informed that the situation was now peaceful and supported the Police version that only blank firing had occurred in the morning hours.
