Yimchunger bodies refute AR version
A Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 19
An NSCN-K cadre was killed on Thursday night during a military operation conducted by the 37 Assam Rifles in the stretch of road between Razephema and Paglapahar, roughly a kilometer away from Paglapahar Bridge.
Official sources have identified the slain cadre as Sgt (ss) Inato Aye, aged 28, an ex-convict. Reports said that he was riding a motorcycle when he ran into a column of the Assam Rifles at around 9.30 pm near the Paglapahar Bridge. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, he was killed.
It was suggested that the Assam Rifles had prior knowledge of his movement in the area, and thus managing to cordon the area later at night. After he was killed, the Assam Rifles recovered one 9mm pistol, explosive devices including 3 hand grenades, 3 hand grenade levers and 2 detonators, and a hand held radio set from his person. An FIR has been lodged at Medziphema police station.
Meanwhile, in a press release, the IGAR(N) said the NSCN-K cadre was killed in action in an ‘encounter’ near New Chumukedima village. The operation was conducted by troops of 37 Assam Rifles under the aegis of Headquarters 6 Sector Assam Rifles. The killed NSCN-K cadre has been identified as Army No- 3709K, Self Styled Lieutenant Inato Ayee, S/o Vihoshe Ayee from Zunheboto, the IGAR(N) press note added. It then said that based on information about presence of NSCN-K cadres attempting to re-establish extortion network in Dimapur, Chumukedima and along NH- 29, an operation was launched on February 18 in the area of Paglapahar and Razephema. At around 9 pm, while the troops were searching the road leading from Rezephema towards Paglapahar Bridge, they were fired upon by ‘Self Styled Lieutenant’ Inato Ayee. The troops retaliated resulting in killing of the cadre. On search of the cadre one 9 mm pistol with live ammunition, hand grenades, Lathod Rounds and other war like stores were recovered. The dead body of the underground cadre alongwith the recovered items were handed over to Medziphema Police Station, it added.
Meanwhile, several Yimchunger organizations have sharply refuted to the claim of the IGAR(N) saying the Inato was leading a normal life for the past two years. Western Yimchungru Frontal Organisation (WYFO), Western Yimchungru Student’s Union (WYSU), Western Yimchungru GB’S Union and Old Showuba Village Council while condemning the killing claimed that Inato was a permanent village of Sukiur ‘B’ village under Shamator sub-division and presently residing at old Showuba village. These organizations also clarified that Inato was arrested by IRB personnel when he was still with NSCN-K in September, 2013 from Kohima. His case was registered at South Police station Kohima. He was released from the central jail Dimapur and since then Inato was leading a normal life.
According to these organizations, six bullet marks were found on the body of Inato. The joint press statement said that Inato had informed his close associates that he was going out with his friends ‘for leisure’. The family members reported that he left his elder brother’s house with the clothes he wore that fateful day around 10:30 am. “The cruel murder of late Inato was a premeditated plan and the greater motive for glory should be taken into account by the investigation officer. We request the concern investigation officer to find out the truth and bring the culprits to book at the earliest and let truth prevails. We also conveyed our deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed that almighty God would comfort the grieving family members in time of sadness,” the press note added.
