Dimapur, May 26 (MExN): Panic gripped Dimapur after a factional gunfight occurred in the heart of the city again near the Plaza junction, leaving two persons injured, including a civilian, during evening rush hours around 3:15 PM. Police reacted immediately and conducted searches for the assailants in the area and transported the injured to Civil Hospital Dimapur.
The injured persons have been identified as one Lovika Assumi, 28 years, and son of a Kikheto Assumi of Pimla village under Diphupar police station. He is said to be an “ss sergeant” in the NSCN (IM). A doctor of Dimapur Civil Hospital said the cadre sustained “multiple bullet injuries” in the abdomen and in the spine. He is in a critical condition and has been shifted to Zion Hospital. The other person, one Sanjay Kumar Jain, 29 years, a businessman working for Dimul was grazed in the back by a stray bullet. He was released after first aid from the hospital. Shopkeepers at the spot said they heard four gunshots.
The incident happened during the evening rush-hour, when citizens of the city usually return home and when there usually are massive traffic jams. Police said one 7.65 caliber pistol with five live rounds was recovered from the possession of the injured cadre. A white Maruti Gypsy (NL 01 C 7260), suspected to belong to the assailants has been seized by police.
Moments after the incident, a huge number of people gathered at the spot and watched the scene until they were dispersed by security forces. Nonetheless, frightened shopkeepers and businessmen hurriedly downed their shutters.
Briefing media persons at his office, Additional SP of Dimapur, VZ Angami said that police and IRB conducted thorough searches in the area, especially at a mobile shop, after the injured NSCN (IM) cadre said the assailants went towards the shop. Angami also informed that police are making inquiries in all the clinics of the city as the injured cadre said one of the assailants was seen to be limping. Police say that it is a clear case of factional gunfight.
He informed that security has been beefed up in and around the city and frisking of not only vehicles but also pedestrians would be conducted intensively. IRB personnel were seen frisking vehicles and passengers in various areas of the town. He informed that the priority of the police would be to check recurrence of such factional fights in civilian populated areas.
The latest incident comes against the backdrop of various organizations and civil society of Dimapur submitting a memorandum to the Nagaland Home Minister over the breaking law and order situation and also the consultative meeting at DC office Dimapur between the home minister and the Dimapur Public Coordination Committee on May 25. Many fear the latest fight could be a resumption of the terrible fratricidal violence of the recent times. Just recently the CAO Angami Region of the “NSCN/GPRN” was killed by suspected NSCN (IM) cadres.
