Ashiko Pfuzhe
May 28
Morung Express News
The NSCN (IM) today handed over “Lt. Col” HK Ningshen, the main accused in the killing of Dr. Th. Kishan, SDO of Kasom Khullen under Ukhrul district, to the Naga Hoho, which in turn handed him over to the CBI. The NSCN (I-M) functionary, accompanied by two CBI officials, left Dimapur Airport around 2 pm in a special plane enroute to Delhi via Kolkata.
Earlier in the morning at the NSCN (IM) Hebron Camp, a brief ‘handing and taking’ program was held and “Lt Col” Ningshen was formally handed over to the Naga Hoho officials. Later, under heavy police escort, the NSCN (IM) functionary was transported in a bullet-proof Bolero to Dimapur Airport, where the CBI team finally took custody of Ningshen in the presence of Naga Hoho officials including its president Keviletuo Kiewhuo, general secretary Chuba Ozukum, speaker HK Zhimomi and joint secretary Nikhrolo Khalo.
According to highly placed sources, the Union Home Ministry had directed the NSCN (IM) to hand over Ningshen and warned that the security forces would be compelled to raid camps of the NSCN (IM) if the directive was not complied with. The Home Ministry’s deadline for handing over the accused expired today, sources added.
Sources disclosed that the NSCN (IM) initially stood its ground stating that the cadres would be forced to counter if attacked. Sensing imminent breakdown of the ceasefire due to the stalemate, the Naga Hoho stepped in and persuaded the NSCN (IM) to hand over “Lt Col” Ningshen to the Naga Hoho, who in turn handed him over to the ‘Government of India.’
Meanwhile, the 45-year-old ‘disgraced’ functionary appeared to have taken in his stride the sudden turn of events and his subsequent long flight to Delhi. Queried about his reaction after he was handed over to the Naga Hoho, Ningshen said “I will honour the understanding reached between the government and Naga Hoho in the national interest.”
It may be mentioned late Kishan and two subordinate staff were abducted by unidentified gunmen near Ukhrul town on February 14 last, and their mutilated bodies were recovered three days later in Senapati district. Later, the NSCN (IM) admitted that its cadres were involved in the killing of the three government officials.
Following public outcry, the NSCN (IM) on May 14 announced that a “court martial” found “Lt Col” Hopson Ningshen, the “commander” of Kiusemong Battalion, guilty of abduction, illegal detention and killing of Kishan and his two staffers. His ‘services’ was subsequently terminated and sentenced to ‘seven years of rigorous imprisonment’ by the outfit. Ningshen was arrested by the outfit on February 21 and was under custody at Hebron since then.
