Dimapur, Jan 15 (MExN): The NSCN-IM has issued a clarification on the January 13 killing of two persons alleged to have been NSCN-K cadres, Ponche and Phopa, in Kohima. The NSCN-IM stated that no Naga Tribe is being particularized in association to any organization since the struggle is in defense of “our common national aspiration”. It has appealed not to let ‘divisive or communalistic forces hijack’ the cause but distinguish ‘adverse elements within our family’ who are taking undue advantage of the situation to promote, the NSCN-IM stated, disunity on tribal lines.
According to a statement from T Keditsu, ‘Central Administrative Officer’ of the NSCN-IM Angami Region, on January 11 the two persons, ‘Sgt’ Ponche, son of Raya Konyak and ‘Pvt.’ Phopa, son of Langpong of Chinkao Chingnui village “whose names and identities are according to their revelation” were found suspiciously loitering near Dimapur Taxi station near NST station, Kohima. They were bargaining on the price of a camera at a shop when they were accosted by the Kohima Town Command of the NSCN-IM. On being confronted, “they were neatly dressed with not even a penny or any dairy or identifiable receipts on them except for Burmese torch lights, though it was daytime when they were bargaining the price for a camera at a shop”. On suspicions, they were apprehended for ‘casual interrogation’ the statement said.
Although they were never asked or accused of belonging to any faction, they on their own volition admitted to their identities as being cadres of the NSCN-K “and of their guilt”, the MIP maintained. During interrogation it was revealed that ‘Pvt’ Phopa had joined the January 9, 2007, attack where ‘Sgt’ Moa was killed. They used to work undercover in Lerie Colony Town Command of the NSCN-K, it stated. ‘Pvt’ Phopa Konyak worked as a garage mechanic occasionally as cover-up, it was mentioned.
The attack was led by one ‘Capt’ Chingko Chang along with ‘Lt.’ Longhai Kopnyak, ‘Sgt’ Ngampai Konyak, ‘Pvt’ Phopa Konyak, ‘Pvt’ Ngamghim Konyak and three other Sumis of Para Medical Colony Town Command, NSCN-K. The names of the Sumis were not acquainted, the note mentioned.
The attack took place with four waylaying the road while four sprayed the camp with gunfire from above the road, taking the life of ‘Sgt’ Moa. They also revealed that Lerie Colony Command was led by ‘Lt.’ Longching Konyak who was putting up in two messes. One mess comprised of 5 cadres with 5 arms – 2 AK assault rifles and 3 pistols. The second mess comprised of 6 cadres with 5 arms – 2 AK assault rifles, 2 M-21 assault rifles and a pistol, the NSCN-IM stated. As the 2 cadres submitted to take the Naga Army to raid their (NSCN-K) camps at Lerie Colony, they were later found to be vacated. The house where the NSCN-K cadres stationed belongs to one Kasheto, a peon in the Law & Justice department, whose younger brother is Toshika, a cadre of the NSCN-K, it was mentioned. It was learnt through them that Toshika brought his comrades to stay at his brother’s house. While Kasheto’s house was raided, the rival cadres fired blank shots of around three to four rounds from a distance as a warning. It was also mentioned that Sumi cadres of the NSCN-K reside at Para Medical colony where their commanders interact for joint operations only and the parties involved are not well-acquainted with each other except for meetings during armed exercises, the MIP release stated.
Basing on the two NSCN-K cadres’ revelation and admittance in confirming their identities, the Kohima Town Command, NSCN-IM, ‘initiated necessary action against them who were all out to eliminate the Naga national workers’.
