Four cadres of the eastern wing faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim were killed in a gunbattle between Naga rebel groups in Kamjong district of Manipur, officials confirmed on Sunday.
Officials confirmed that the accident occurred on Saturday around 8.30 pm to 9.20 pm near Hongbi village under Kasum Khulin Block, Kamjung District of Manipur along Imphal-Kasum Khulin Road, Kamjung District.
The Eastern Wing faction cadres were reportedly ambushed by suspected cadres of the National Socialist Council of the Nagalim-Isaac Muivah faction (NSCN-IM) who were taking up positions. During the accident, four of the six passengers were killed and two of them were injured and fled the scene.
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The deceased has now been named in an official statement issued by the Government of the Nagalim People’s Republic (Eastern Wing), Naga Army. They include Major (posthumous) Suchipim Vongchuk, Sergeant Major (posthumous) Zarai Vasah, Sergeant (posthumous) Bahnle Ahlabia, and Sergeant (posthumous) Thansomi Washi.
In the press statement of the government of the Nagalim People’s Republic (eastern wing), Naga Army, signed by “Lieutenant General A. Raman”, the group said it was “deeply saddened” by the loss of its cadres, who it claimed were “shot in the line of duty”.
According to the statement, the cadres were on an operational mission related to monitoring timber and other activities along the Indo-Myanmar border when they passed through Hongbi village earlier in the day. They reportedly interacted with another group led by individuals identified as 2nd Lt. Starling of Lairam village, and later encountered a group led by 2nd Lt. Mathotme of Chihai Khunu village at the same intersection while returning.
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The East Wing claimed that despite the initial confession, an order had been issued to open fire. “We were ordered to shoot them,” the statement quoted them as saying, claiming that the cadres were shot randomly.
The group also claimed that such an order “could not have come from a mere second lieutenant” and suggested that it may have arisen from higher command levels, including the collective command or “Longvibu” (supreme commander).
The statement also referred to the previous positions of the Ministry of Information of NSCN/GPRN and Tangkhul Naga Long, stressing that their cadres were working in accordance with those directives and calling for unity among Naga groups.
Kasum Khulin police conducted an immediate investigation on Sunday morning, and security services are continuing investigations into the incident.
