Zunheboto continues to simmer with public angst against NSCN (IM)

EMN
Dimapur/ Kohima, December 29
The situation continues to be tense for the second day in a row in Zunheboto district as the exchange of fire between the irate public and NSCN (IM) was reported at the Mukalimi designated camp, located some 30-40 kms away from Zunheboto town.
Unconfirmed sources said four persons including three NSCN (IM) cadres were killed and eight civilians grievously injured in the standoff .
The district police have denied the report but confirmed reports of one civilian sustaining a bullet injury to his ankle, taking the number of injured since yesterday to seven and one death.
However the Sumi Hoho secretary Vihuto Assumi, through a text message, stated that the public had shot dead three NSCN (IM) cadres while eight civilians have been grievously injured
Superintendent of Police, Zunheboto, said that despite efforts from the district administration and police to control the situation from escalating further, a large number of mob continued to attack the NSCN (IM) designated camp.
Senior police officials have said that all efforts are on to contain the tension and to prevent the public ire from spreading elsewhere.
Thousands of Sumi public, surrounded the NSCN (IM) camp at Mukalimi after the organization failed to hand over the cadres who had molested two women taxi passengers one of whom was a lady missionary and also allegedly attempted to rape them on December 21 last. The SP said “we are restricting the mob but since this a move by the general public, we are unable to stop them.” He also said that the police and administration are not confronting the public as this would only aggravate the situation.
The clash between the two groups ceased after the sun went down but large number of public are reportedly still camping around the vicinity.
The people, who converged on the camp breaking down barricades put up by the security forces, were angry as the NSCN (IM) did not hand over the four cadres involved in the abuse of the taxi passengers on December 21, to the district administration by the set deadline of December 25.

NSCN (IM) Mukalimi camp to be vacated, says govt

EMN
Dimapur, December 29
In the backdrop of turn of events in Zunheboto district over the past few days, the State government said it is left with no option but to vacate the designated camp of the NSCN (IM) at Mukalimi village in the interest of restoring peace and harmony in the State. The matter is being taken up by the State government with appropriate authorities, Home Commissioner Temjen Toy said in a press communiqué today.
Expressing deep concern at the turn of events in the district resulting in unfortunate loss of precious lives and injuries to members of public, the government has endeavoured, with all possible means, to prevent any confrontation between the members of the public and the NSCN (IM) cadres stationed at Mukalimi. But, it has not been possible to prevent the thousands of members of the public from proceeding to Mukalimi village and the NSCN (IM) camp, the communiqué said.
The use of force to prevent such a movement of the public would have led to large scale violence, bloodshed and loss of precious lives, the government stated.
“However, the confrontation has taken place with serious consequences and such a situation cannot be allowed to be continued as this is likely to lead to more violence and bloodshed,” it said.
The government also informed that the State Police has taken serious note of the criminal incidents of December 21 and subsequent killings that have taken place. The police are relentlessly pursuing it to ensure that the guilty are booked and punished under the appropriate provisions of the law.
The government further appealed to all concerned to abjure violence and resolve all problems confronting the State and the people through peaceful and legal means befitting a democratic people that believe in the rule of law.