Wild West shoot-out
Dimapur, May 8 (TEN): Tension in Diphupar area of Dimapur today erupted into a protracted gun battle between the NSCN (IM) and the NSCN/GPRN (Unification) factions, with reported firing at three places, each at Xelhozhe village near Showuba village at around 4:30, Seithekima ‘A’ and ‘B’ villages at around 7 am and in Diphupar ‘B’ village that started at around 10:15. They continued for three hours, endangering the lives of residents and school children especially in the Diphupar ‘B’ village area.
Late in the night, it is reported that the Gaon Boras of Diphupar village directed through public address systems the armed cadres camping in the area to vacate the area immediately. It was also informed that public in the area mobilized themselves to drive away the “trouble makers” before the situation turned to worse.
Meanwhile, according to very reliable police sources, one NSCN (IM) cadre was killed at Xelhehoshe village, while another was injured at Seithikima. Two unification cadres were injured at Diphupar and Ikshe village, sources said. Unification cadres taking refuge at the other end of Diphupar ‘B’ village confirmed that one of their cadres was injured in the jaw during the Diphupar firing. He was shifted to Zion hospital, residents said.
During the factional clash today at Diphupar ‘B’, angry residents along with the Dimapur GBs and DBs Union and Joint Forum of DBs and GBs Union, Dimapur and the Dimapur Municipal Council intervened in the clash and brought the matter under control after enduring nearly three hours of firing. Citizens were found armed with daos, spears and sticks ready to attack the cadres. However, Unification cadres, who were resting a little distance away from the Government Middle School, Diphupar ‘B’ requested the residents to allow them “five minutes” so that they can make their way out to their camp. The location of the NSCN (IM) cadres were not known, though residents suspected them to be on the other side of the village.
Residents of Diphupar ‘B’ village were enraged that no administrative head or police forces came to the area even after reporting the firing incident. “If you (District administration and police) cannot secure the public then give us the arms and ammunitions and we will secure ourselves,” said an angry resident. “Only the Dimapur Municipal Council and Gaon Boras and no one turned up,” said a Goan Bora at the spot in Diphupar.
Today’s firing incident in Diphupar greatly endangered the lives of school children studying in AG School, St John School and Government Middle School. “The students were made to lie on the ground while the firing was going on,” said a resident.
Expressing unhappiness over the inaction of the district administration and the police, the Diphupar ‘B’ Village Council has decided to close down all institutions in the area, both government and private as a protest against the clash. Besides, the council is also planning to close the National Highway-39, if the situation does not improve, the council chairman said.
However, it could not be confirmed as to who exactly started the firing incidents.
“We don’t know at all, it is only up to the factions and God to know, because the NSCN (IM) would blame the Unification and the Unification faction in turn will again blame the NSCN (IM),” said a Village council member.
In the ensuing turf battle, one house belonging to a civilian, Rongsenwati, was partially damaged in the firing at Diphupar. The owner of the house disclosed that the cadres came chasing each other and the Unification cadres holed up inside the ground floor room. Neighbors were also taking shelter in an RCC house, he said.
Thereafter, civilians vacated their houses as the firing continued. Six unexploded explosives were found in the vicinity of the house. The Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur paid a sum of Rs 5000 as immediate relief to the house-owner.
Meanwhile, a resident of Ikshe village, Ihoshe Sumi today appreciated the DMC for ‘single handedly stopping the factional fighting at Diphupar ‘B’ and Ikshe Village’. The Ikishe village resident in a press note said that “no officer” from the district administration or the police and security forces came to the rescue of the public during the firing. In this regard, he said that the DMC mobilized action and somehow ‘the warlike situation at public places was pacified’. Some eyewitnesses however informed that SDPO Dimapur and SDO (C) were also seen at the spot of incident, assessing the situation.
Meanwhile, according to very reliable police sources, one NSCN (IM) cadre was killed at Xelhehoshe village, while another was injured at Seithikima. Two unification cadres were injured at Diphupar and Ikshe village, sources said. Unification cadres taking refuge at the other end of Diphupar ‘B’ village confirmed that one of their cadres was injured in the jaw during the Diphupar firing. He was shifted to Zion hospital, residents said.
During the factional clash today at Diphupar ‘B’, angry residents along with the Dimapur GBs and DBs Union and Joint Forum of DBs and GBs Union, Dimapur and the Dimapur Municipal Council intervened in the clash and brought the matter under control after enduring nearly three hours of firing. Citizens were found armed with daos, spears and sticks ready to attack the cadres. However, Unification cadres, who were resting a little distance away from the Government Middle School, Diphupar ‘B’ requested the residents to allow them “five minutes” so that they can make their way out to their camp. The location of the NSCN (IM) cadres were not known, though residents suspected them to be on the other side of the village.
Residents of Diphupar ‘B’ village were enraged that no administrative head or police forces came to the area even after reporting the firing incident. “If you (District administration and police) cannot secure the public then give us the arms and ammunitions and we will secure ourselves,” said an angry resident. “Only the Dimapur Municipal Council and Gaon Boras and no one turned up,” said a Goan Bora at the spot in Diphupar.
Today’s firing incident in Diphupar greatly endangered the lives of school children studying in AG School, St John School and Government Middle School. “The students were made to lie on the ground while the firing was going on,” said a resident.
Expressing unhappiness over the inaction of the district administration and the police, the Diphupar ‘B’ Village Council has decided to close down all institutions in the area, both government and private as a protest against the clash. Besides, the council is also planning to close the National Highway-39, if the situation does not improve, the council chairman said.
However, it could not be confirmed as to who exactly started the firing incidents.
“We don’t know at all, it is only up to the factions and God to know, because the NSCN (IM) would blame the Unification and the Unification faction in turn will again blame the NSCN (IM),” said a Village council member.
In the ensuing turf battle, one house belonging to a civilian, Rongsenwati, was partially damaged in the firing at Diphupar. The owner of the house disclosed that the cadres came chasing each other and the Unification cadres holed up inside the ground floor room. Neighbors were also taking shelter in an RCC house, he said.
Thereafter, civilians vacated their houses as the firing continued. Six unexploded explosives were found in the vicinity of the house. The Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur paid a sum of Rs 5000 as immediate relief to the house-owner.
Meanwhile, a resident of Ikshe village, Ihoshe Sumi today appreciated the DMC for ‘single handedly stopping the factional fighting at Diphupar ‘B’ and Ikshe Village’. The Ikishe village resident in a press note said that “no officer” from the district administration or the police and security forces came to the rescue of the public during the firing. In this regard, he said that the DMC mobilized action and somehow ‘the warlike situation at public places was pacified’. Some eyewitnesses however informed that SDPO Dimapur and SDO (C) were also seen at the spot of incident, assessing the situation.
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