DIMAPUR, MARCH 29 (MExN): Cadres of the NSCN (K) and GPRN/NSCN exchanged gun shots for around an hour on Thursday morning near Zunheboto, DC Zunheboto, Kiheto Sema told The Morung Express over phone. However, no casualty was reported.
He said the incident took place between Natha Old village and Natha New village below Amphoto colony where the gunshots started around 9 am and continued till 10 am. With the joint effort of the IRB, police, Assam Rifles and public, the factions dispersed, Kiheto said. He said the district administration, police and NGOs had held several meetings and appealed the factions not to fire in public places but that their requests were not honoured. “We had flushed the factions out from the town in December last year but after some gap they come, fight and go back,” Kiheto said.
On the other hand, both the NSCN (K) and GPRN/NSCN blamed each other for provoking the other. GPRN/NSCN source claimed that the NSCN (K) cadres came from three directions and fired upon them. “We have been keeping quiet but it is them (NSCN-K) who provoked us,” said a GPRN/NSCN official.
NSCN (K) MIP alleged that the GPRN/NSCN has been threatening to chase them out from Zubheboto and reminded of the attack on its Sumi Region vice chairman on March 15 in the heart of the town. “It is the Khehoi gangsers who should be evicted from Zunheboto town if the general public desires to preserve peace since Khehoi gang is entirely responsible for the flare up,” the MIP said.
Both the factions said there was no casualty except killing of a cow in crossfire.
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