Tingplik Express

Dimapur, May 9 (TEN): An NSCN (IM) activist who was allegedly involved in an ‘abduction’ case and captured by the NSCN/GPRN (Unification) group has been executed at the unification’s Hq at Vihokhu village, Dimapur. The captured NSCN (IM) activist, Atong Pongener, ‘“Jt Secy” who was in the custody of the unification group has been executed today. Pongener was captured by the Unification cadres last Sunday and was paraded before the media on May 6 at Vihokhu. Sources from the Unification camp disclosed that Pongener was executed last night. The GPRN/NSCN (Unification) informing about the execution, justified the killing stating he committed a crime against the “Naga nation and its people”.
The GPRN/NSCN (Unification) in a press note issued by its publicity cell stated that “pursuant to the declaration and intimation to the administration and law enforcing agencies of the state of Nagaland on December 30, 2007 by GPRN/NSCN to severely deal with the prevalent anti-social activities committed and blamed upon NSCN, the GPRN/NSCN has penalized joint secretary, Atong of Hebron Camp for committing crime against the Naga nation and its people.”
However, the NSCN (IM) maintained that “Atong was abducted and killed by the Unification group at Vihokhu on May 9, lest Atong exposed the kidnapping crime of the unification group”. It is learnt that the funeral service of Atong was held at his residence at Aoyimti at 3 pm this evening.
Meanwhile, in an apparent retaliation against the offensive by the NSCN (IM) cadres on NSCN/GPRN (Unification) cadres near Showba village on May 8 and the subsequent firing that continued in Diphupar ‘B’ area, a factional fight ensued at a place between Jalukie town and the NSCN (IM) Training Centre, Mount Gilead this morning which continued till 12:30.
NSCN (IM) sources said that two of its cadres along with a civilian, who were on their way to a farm, were ambushed by Unification cadres, during which one cadre along with the civilian were captured, while another escaped. The unification cadres blindfolded the captured NSCN (IM) activist and shot him, while the civilian was let off. The killed NSCN (IM) cadre has been identified as one Athikho Mao, “section officer” attached with the “ministry of religious affairs.”
Police sources from the Jalukie town said that reports of firing started at around 6:30 am and that they received report of a dead body in the area, which is about approximately 10-12 kms away from Jalukie town and 12-16 kms away from Mount Gilead. However, when the police along with representatives from Zeliangrong Baudi and other civil society leaders were on their way to the spot, another firing started at around 8:45 and it continued till 12:30, sources said. During the gun-fight the dead body was taken away by the NSCN (IM) cadres. Police and civil society leaders could not go near the area due to security reasons, sources said.
In the meantime, reinforced NSCN (IM) cadres chased unification cadres till Athibung area and fired at them. The NSCN (IM) sources claimed that the Unification side may have suffered some casualty or injuries. Sources from the unification side denied that they suffered any casualty.
Unification source asserted that today’s firing incident was a response to yesterday’s ‘provocative’ attack by the NSCN (IM) on unification cadres near Showuba village, which is just nearby the latter’s headquarter village, Vihokhu. The source asserted that today’s attack by the Unification cadres was in order to send a message to Hebron that the unification group ‘can also do the same or even worse’.
Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) today expressed heartfelt condolence over the deaths of Athikho Mao “SO” and “pte.” Ayin Kashung and Athong Pongener, “joint secretary” at the hands of the Unification group. An MIP press release stated that “pte.” Ayin died fighting like ‘a true Naga soldier’, while Athikho Mao was killed in cold-blood by the unification group, after abducting him near the “training centre, Naga Army.”
Athong Pongener, who was in the custody of the Unification Group was executed on May 9 at Vihokhu village. It could not be confirmed as to how exactly, ‘Pte’ Ayin died.
“They died with their spirit focused to stand by their commitment to serve the nation till the last,” the release stated and added that ‘the Nation is proud of them and they died ‘martyrs’, to be given a place of honour in the pages of the Naga history’.
The NSCN (IM) Kilo Kilonser, in a separate press release, expressed sorrow over the death of L Athikho s/o Loli of Kalinamei village, Spmth Region, GPRN.
The Kilo Kilonser, in a press release issued by the Secretary of Kilo Affairs, regarded the deceased as a young and committed Christian; a theologian with excellent academic career and having a noble love for the nation.
“The nation shall remember and always treasure his unflinching service and well recorded his name in the history of the Naga Nation,” the release stated.
The NSCN (IM) extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.