Morung Express News
October 24
DIMAPUR: The NSCN (IM), while deploring the recent flare-up of ethnic violence between the Dimasas and the Karbis, has denied its having a hand in the clashes. However, according to an Assam based news portal, Chairman of Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) Dilip Dimasa is said to have revealed that its Home Secretary Kantho Langthasa was kept in custody of the NSCN (IM) from October 7 to 20. The incident seen as the root cause of subsequent ethnic frenzy in the district was designed by NSCN (IM) to fuel DHD-UPDS clash, added the report.
The report substantiating the finding added that the NSCN (IM), after the Misibailang episode where an Assam government magistrate died over the Assam-Nagaland border dispute, desperately wanted the Dhansiri camp of DHD to be dislodged.
While accepting that the Home Secretary of the DHD had visited Camp Hebron, an NSCN official denied the detention of Langthasa as reported. “His visit has nothing to do with the clash,” the official said. He further said that since they were adhering strictly to the ground rules of the ceasefire, the allegation was unfounded and added that the Misibailang incident had no connection whatsoever with the present turmoil in Karbi Anglong.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by Johnny Dilbung, MIP Kilonser of the outfit said, “There are certain elements with ulterior motives that are trying to incite hatred upon the Nagas and create enmity within, taking the on¬going clashes as an instrument to launch their evil designs, by dragging the NSCN’s name in the clashes, which is absolutely absurd and inconsistently bereft of any logical reasons.” He further stressed on the need for both the warring Karbi and Dimasa communities to “peacefully resolve the issues of conflict rather than accumulating further aggravated losses.”
With regard to the allegation that the NSCN was pursuing forced conversion, Dilbung said, “As Christian Nagas, we do not believe in forced conversions or champion violence which is completely against our religion and a grave sin in its act. This fact is clearly understood and recognized by our neighbors who bear the witness to our ways of worship and in the ethics and principles of Christianity we abide by and upkeep, and cannot be wrongly interpreted, swayed or misled according to the convenience of adverse manipulators.”
