Phek bloodbath leaves 2 NSCN(K) cadres, 2 young students dead

Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, JULY 16

Two NSCN (K) cadres and two students were reportedly killed by security forces on Wednesday and Thursday respectively in related incidents under the Meluri sub-division of Phek district.
According to a press release issued by the PRO Assam Rifles, a patrol of security forces was sent in the area to ascertain reports of kidnapping and forced recruitment of school boys from Avangkhu and Pokhungri villages along the Indo-Myanmar border, when they were fired upon by NSCN (K) militants. “The security forces retaliated and were able to neutralise two militants and injure one militant of the NSCN (Khaplang) faction,” the release said.
It was reported that both the militants were in uniform and were in possession of rifles including one AK-47 along with a “large quantity” of ammunition. An army officer was also reported to have been injured in the encounter and was airlifted to a military hospital on Thursday.
The security forces stated that the operation has been carried out in support of the local population, who were reportedly being compelled by NSCN (K) to join their outfit.
Sources said one of the slain militants was identified was identified as Puhachu, a captain of the outfit hailing from Wuzu village located adjacent to Phor village, while the other is said to be an Eastern Naga (a Naga from Burma).
Meanwhile, on Thursday evening at around 6.50 pm, villagers of Wuzu/Phor gathered in the village area and stopped the paramilitary convoy carrying the dead bodies of the NSCN (K) cadres, asking that the body of their compatriot Puhachu be handed over to the village. However, the security forces reportedly resorted to unprovoked firing which resulted in killing two students of Class-VII while a woman sustained injuries. The victims have been identified as one Tüzali, 14 years of Phor village, and one Aso, 13 years, of Wuzu village. The injured woman has been identified as one Vitsürho, a 24 year old married woman, sources informed. The wounded woman is reported to have been admitted in the health centre center for treatment. Uneasy calm is being reported in the village at the time of filing this report.
Informed sources told Eastern Mirror that the incident was subject to enquiry and the Director General of Police, the Home Commissioner and the Commissioner are said to be preparing to visit the area as soon as possible.
The state government is said to be likely to set up an enquiry committee to set more light on the incident wherein civilians were affected.
On the other hand, the Assam Rifles have claimed that while they were carrying the dead bodies of the NSCN (K) cadres to be handed over to the police, the villagers of Phor stopped them near their village demanding that the body of the cadre who hailed from their village be given to them. “While one of our officers were talking to the villagers, some NSCN (K) cadres were hiding in the village and opened fired at our jawans,” an AR officer said. In the process, he said, one officer and a soldier got injured and two school children were shot dead by the bullets fired by the NSCN-K cadres. He also claimed that the security forces did not retaliate due to the presence of villagers.