NIULAND/DIMAPUR, MAY 3 (MExN): The NSCNs were locked in fierce combat since 4 am today at Nikhekhu village, about two kilometers before Niuland, scattering villagers from their homes. Though there were no casualties, the face-off went on for the entire day as both the factions stubbornly refused to leave the area.
Police sources reported that the NSCN (IM) had blocked the exit of the NSCN (K) and called in reinforcements, demanding that the latter group lay down their arms and surrender. It was only after a day-long negotiation by the district administration led by the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, K.N Ngullie and several other NGOs like the Western Sumi Hoho, Naga Hoho, Sumi Tutami Hoho etc that the situation was finally diffused and the two groups finally vacated the village around 5:30 pm.
Ngullie, the DC, Dimapur said that the situation was now under control and the villagers had returned to their houses in their presence.
A senior member of a Hoho who was present at the negotiation said that the reason for the clash was the NSCN (IM)’s resentment over the efforts of the NSCN (K) to penetrate an area that was not their domain. The NSCN (K) had entered Nikhekhu village yesterday and this move had spurred the other group to defend a place which had previously been their area.
In a separate press release issued by the MIP, the NSCN (IM) stated that the Khaplang cadres led by “SS. Maj.” Vikato had forcefully intruded into Nikhekhu village around 11 am yesterday and obstinately disregarding all request and occupied houses, had dug bunkers and built defences in the village.
They further alleged that Vikato had announced a challenge to them of armed confrontation and threatened villagers through hand mics that the houses of those who left the village would be burnt down.
Further saying that the Khaplang group had used the villagers as human shield and consequently the NSCN (IM) had come forward to evict them and return normalcy to the area. The release added that the Khaplang boys had escaped fenced by the AR towards the Assam Rifle Camp continuing that it remains to speculation why the NSCN (K) always appeared in their “terror permeating” strategies under the shadow of the AR and asked them to accept their traitotous identity or part with their anti-social, anti-naga campaigns under false pretexts and join the “Naga people’s national fold”.
Meanwhile, Supervisor of UT-1 Akato Chophy stated that the NSCN (K) boys had simply been trying to defend themselves when the other group suddenly attacked them early this morning. Saying that they had come to the village yesterday in peace, merely to visit and meet the people after having been in the jungle around Nikhekhu. “If we had come for war we would have attacked their many camps here and there or gone to those villages where NSCN (IM) leaders are staying” he said. Chophy also said that the boys had not wanted to leave the village but was waiting for the other group to do so, but they had relented after listening to the public. “We listened to the public and will continue to do so”, he said adding that the NSCN (IM) had tried to take revenge for Wangrum inferno by creating a similar situation in Nikhekhu. Saying that the people were fed-up with the NSCN (IM) for having their finger in every pie, Akato communicated to the people of Dimapur that the NSCN (K) would make their presence felt in Dimapu. “Even though we may not have a big presence in Dimapur like the NSCN (IM), we have a very big presence in the hearts of the people and for us, that is what matters most” he said continuing, “we are here to stay because we are home”.
.jpg)
