Imrong Aier
Mokokchung, August 13
Two NSCN (Khaplang) faction cadres were killed in an encounter with security forces at Longsa village in Mokokchung district.
On receiving information about the presence of a group of underground cadres, reportedly belonging to NSCN-K, security forces went to the spot and in the ensuing encounter two of the NSCN(K) cadres were killed.
Police sources said, a team 31st Assam Rifles ambushed a group of NSCN-K cadres at a paddy field near Dikhu River under Longsa village, who were taking shelter in a hut that morning. During the attack, the security personnel of 31 Assam Rifles killed two cadres of the NSCN-K on the spot. The incident took place at around 5 a.m. today.
After getting information about the gunbattle the additional SP of Mokokchung along with other police officials visited the spot.
“Even the village council of the Longsa village were not allowed to enter the shootout area by the security forces,” stated a village council member while speaking to this correspondent. The council member also said the security forces has spoken to them verbally that two cadres of the NSCN-K were killed and four or more cadres have fled the spot.
After the gun-battle, the Assam Rifles has launched mass operation in the area. Report stated the operation is still continuing.
Police sources also disclosed that the deceased have been identified as captain Azheto from Dimapur and a civil wing member Khekato from Zunheboto. Police sources added that one AK 56 and a .22 pistol along with three Chinese grenade and some live rounds where recovered from the spot .
A reliable source from the security forces disclosed that the armed forces have been tailing the movement of cadres of NSCN-K for the past one week.
However, the body of the deceased weere brought to Mokokchung police station at around 3 p.m. today. After observing all formalities, the bodies of the cadres have been handed over to the relatives, stated police station In-charge. He also added that they didn’t receive FIR from the 31st Assam Rifles yet while filing this report.
Meanwhile, the Assam Rifles in a statement said, on run up to the 69th Independence Day on 15th August, numerous inputs are being received by various agencies pertaining to plans of cadres of NSCN-K faction to undertake various nefarious activities in the State of Nagaland to target the security forces and to cause explosions at various places to cause harm to life and property not only to security forces but to the local populace too. The security forces have been taking various necessary measures, including intensive domination of the areas and maintaining a high state of alertrness to thwart the cadres of NSCN-K from causing any such untoward incident.
Based on specific input of presence on NSCN-K cadres in the village of Longsa, a patrol of Assam Rifles was launched towards the village. The statement said during the hours of early morning of August 13, the patrol was fired upon by the NSCN (Khaplang) militants. The troops retaliated with equal fire power in which two militants of the NSCN-K have been killed. As per inputs the arms and ammunition were to be used by the faction to cause terrorist attacks on Highway Mokokchung-Tuensang and in the nearby towns as per the orders received from their hierarchy, the statement said.
Deputy Commissioner of the district Sushil Kumar Patel said that barring this incident, the overall law and order situation in Mokokchung is “totally under control”. Patel said there is no need to panic as the District Administration and police and security forces are taking measures to ensure peace and tranquility. Patel thanked the people of the district for their full cooperation with the district administration.
