Our Correspondent
Kohima, September 5
THE sound of gun fire reverberated again across the hills of the state capital Kohima.
Rival armed cadres of the NSCN (K) and the GPRN/NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) clashed at the Hospital junction this on Thursday afternoon. Several rounds were fired by both sides, while stray bullets also hit some of the shops in the area but fortunately no human casualty occurred, sources said. Learning about the gun battle between the armed cadres, police and Assam Rifles also swung into action and in the ensuing combing operation, they had to resort to open firing to disperse the underground cadres from the locality.
Subsequently, the entire area was cordoned with traffic movement also being affected and search operation conducted by the security forces in the nearby locality led to arrest of the two persons with one pistol.One has been identified as ‘SS Lt.’ of NSCN(K) S. Kiba, arrested with pistol while the other is reportedly an innocent taxi driver.
Sources further revealed that search operations also led the team to a local hospital, where two cadres injured in the factional feud had gone for treatment. But, before the team reached they managed to escape throwing their guns in the dustbin of the hospital, which was recovered by the police.However, the details of the arrested persons could not be availed immediately as interrogation was in progress till the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, SP Kohima Rothihü Tetseo has expressed regrets over the inconveniences caused to the public during the joint combing operation. Maintaining that the security force will continue to conduct the operation, he requested the public to extend cooperation.
This is the second consecutive day when rival armed cadres of the underground groups have shot at each other. The incident on Wednesday near a hotel on Ladies Mile Road claimed the life of a cadre of the GPRN/NSCN (Khole-Kitovi)
The incident took place even as the Kohima department of enforcement became the first unit in the history of Nagaland Police to observe a ‘zero case pendency day’
Thursday’s incident occurred amidst condemnation and appeals against shootouts in public places and especially near the hospital. It has evoked immediate condemnation from public organizations such as the Naga Stundent’ Federation and the Kohima Village Youth Organisation.
