Athibung incident was not factional clash but 'murder': GPRN/NSCN

Dimapur, February 6: The GPRN/NSCN today claimed that the February 5 incident at Athibung in which rival NSCN (K) had killed three of its members was not a factional clash but a case of the 'Khaplang boys' going on a "murdering spree".

"The Khaplang boys not being confined to their designated camp and going against the wishes of the people's desire, going on a murdering spree even on a Sunday and later stating that the incident was purely a factional clash clearly shows that they are on a rampage to destroy the fabric of the peace-loving nature of the Nagas," said a statement issued by the GPRN/NSCN.

According to the statement, the killings of Sgt.Maj. Thangboi from Molvum village and L/Corporal Ngamminsat Hoakit, son of Lenthang Hoakit of Athibung Town on 5th February by the Khaplang boys had showed their "cowardice and deceitful nature".

The GPRN/NSCN maintained that adhering to the advice given to both the parties to maintain the rules implied by the Cease-Fire enforcing agency to stay away from the vicinity of the town and village, and also as appealed by the peace loving Nagas to cease complete hostilities among the brethrens, it had been maintaining maximum restrain and were staying in the outskirt of the village. "But a man needs to eat to survive, and thus our boys had gone to the village to collect rations when they were ambushed by the khaplang boys. Sgt. Major Thangboi was shot dead while L/Corporal Ngamminsat was caught, blind-folded, hands tied behind, tortured and shot twice in the head at point blank range."

Highlighting that as good will gesture, the GPRN/NSCN had released two of the Khaplang cadres (Major Lukavi Chophy of Xukiye village and L/Corporal Nipaka Awomi of Satoi Village) unharmed at Ghukiye Designated camp under Zunheboto in the presence of the Sumi hoho on February 3 and Sehekho Phang and Sergeant Pao Hao who were apprehended on February 4 were released the next day in the presence of the Kuki NGOs, the statement said the same was expected from them (NSCN-K), but lamented that "our boys were murdered in cold-blood."

Making it clear that the outfit's heeding to the reconciliation processes being initiated by various NGOs is not a sign of weakness, but complying to the wishes of the Nagas, the GPRN/NSCN cautioned that it will not hesitate to confront anybody who threatens the existence of its government. (Page News Service)