Any bandh means some degree of quietness but residents of Thahekhu village, perched atop hillocks on the suburb of Dimapur Thursday morning, were rudely shaken by the sounds of massive gunfire and explosions when around 18 NSCN (K) cadres and around 30 GPRN/NSCN cadres exchanged several hundred rounds at each other in the vicinity of Block No. 5 of the village.

Two NSCN (K) cadres identified as ‘sgt. maj’ Aben Lotha and ‘sgt.’ Mova who were injured, on the thigh and arms but not critically, were rushed to Dimapur civil hospital. Casualty, if any, on the side of the GPRN/NSCN was not known.

The firing which began at around 8 a.m. went on for almost two hours, punctuated by loud grenade explosions. The GPRN/NSCN group fired at the house of ‘maj.’ Khetovi, (who recently defected from the GPRN/NSCN with six others) while the inmates also returned fire.

District administration led by DC Hushili Sema, addl. DIG Assam Rifles, SP Dimapur V.Z. Angami, police and Assam Rifles personnel also rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.

Beating drums by womenfolk, Thahekhu village Sumi Totimi Hoho, led a procession of the village council, village students union and public demanding that the armed cadres vacate the village. Later, both the factions were given safe passage.

Two Maruti cars-- an Alto and a Zen which were parked inside the compound of ‘maj’ Khetovi were totally burnt. Two other vehicles- an Alto and a Santro- belonging to some neighbours parked in the vicinity were also damaged. Two unexploded grenades were also recovered from the scene.

Response to ‘defectors, rogue elements’: GPRN/NSCN
DIMAPUR, SEP 6 (NPN): GPRN/NSCN Thursday asserted that it would take action against “defectors and rogue elements” and explained how the incident at block 5 of Thahekhu Village unfolded.

In a statement, GPRN/NSCN MIP said that one ‘maj.’ Khetovi Sumi who defected to NSCN (K), ran away with “his boys and arms” on August 31.

MIP alleged that he came back to Dimapur on September 3 from Suruhuto with some other members to begin “destructive activities” and stayed at his father’s residence.

On September 5, they attempted to raid the office of “Naga Army” town command and also made abortive life attempts on “Capt. Pukhato, Capt. Phusheto and Capt. Khonjang Konyak” at different locations and raided their residences.

MIP stated that GPRN/NSCN cadres has to react to these “rogue elements” and therefore targeted Khetovi’s residence at Thahekhu village as it was clearly becoming the “epicentre of anti-national activity”.

Stating that sooner or later Khetovi was to be “put to trial and court martial”, MIP alleged that without the knowledge of higher authorities, Khetovi “fined and pocketed” Rs. 5,00,000 from ivory businessmen in the month of August.

MIP said that one truckload of banned Ghutka was seized and the consignment was “unloaded at his residence” but was released on “payment of undisclosed amount” and added that a rice polishing machine used by Food Corporation of India (FCI) was seized and taken away by Khetovi and fined with “undisclosed sum”.

GPRN/NSCN said that all these activities came to light and when the authorities set about investigating the matter, he ran away fearing disciplinary action. MIP said “GPRN/NSCN believes former comrades must take bold decision and come back to the people”.

“At this point of time, S.S Khaplang seems to have wisely confined himself to Nagas in Burma while Suruhuto Camp still believes S.S Khaplang’s name gives them legitimacy to create trouble in Nagaland. This belief is extremely unfortunate,” MIP stated.

It further pointed out that despite the unfortunate attack on the residence of GPRN/NSCN Yimchunger Regional Administrative Officer’s (RAO) in which Khapur Tsingthong and a civilian Luthong were gunned down and a mother and a child injured on 2nd September 2012, GPRN/NSCN shall continue to hope that good sense will prevail among Suruhuto Campers because all stands for the same cause.

GPRN/NSCN asks CFSB chairman to explain
Stating that the NSCN (K) cadres were “freely operating and threatening peace in populated areas”, GPRN/NSCN has also asked the CFSB chairman to  explain how and why the former were allowed to travel to Kiphire and Dimapur “unobstructed with arms and ammunitions and murder people and threaten peace in Dimapur”.

MIP stated that the killing of GPRN/NSCN member and a civilian at Kiphire on September 2 and the incident at Thahekhu Thursday would not have happened had cease-fire ground rules were properly “enforced” strictly against NSCN (K) cadres.

MIP asserted that when “raids and life attempts” on GPRN/NSCN members were reported each day, “Naga Army” would not sit quiet.

MIP also stated when Naga people began to believe they could understand each other, “defectors and rogue elements” using the name S.S Khaplang were threatening peace and harmony. It alleged that there were many “leaderless former comrades” were disturbing peace and harmony in Nagaland.

Assam Rifles biased, says NSCN (K)
Reacting to the Thahekhu village incident, NSCN (K) “Lt. gen” Niki Sumi rued the actions of Assam Rifles (AR) for “causing undue harassment and for its show of biasness towards its cadres”.

NSCN (K)’s top military official told Nagaland Post over phone from Suruhuto designated camp that troops of AR displayed “acts of insincerity in implementation of cease-fire ground rules as cadres from GPRN/NSCN were allowed safe passage from the site of the incident while NSCN (K) cadres had to endure harassment from AR even after police decided to escort the cadres back to the camp”.

“The Assam Rifles personnel tried all possible means to take into their custody the NSCN cadres right from the site of the incident and even beyond Dimapur”, informed “Lt. gen” Niki adding that Nagas could not be suppressed nor be dictated by the whims and fancies of AR and that the NSCN (K) has every right to function and operate anywhere, any place in Nagaland.

Sumi hoped that the spirit of CFGR should not be violated by the groups and should be upheld without any show of partiality or biasness.

The NSCN (K) military leader expressed appreciation towards the swift action of Dimapur district administration, police, Thahekhu villagers, SKK and STH for their timely action thereby preventing the incident from blowing out of proportion which could have led to huge consequences.

Sumi acknowledged the role of the police and NGOs and expressed hope that this gesture would continue even in the days to come.

TVC condemns factional clash
Thahekhu village has “strongly” condemned the “armed confrontation” between GPRN/NSCN and NSCN (K) at Thahekhu village, Block No. 5 and “fervently” appealed to all the factions to refrain from committing such “atrocious acts” in civilian populated areas, which endangered the lives of innocent public, creating panic and unrest amongst the public.

In a joint statement issued by Thahekhu Village head GB Hukiye T. Yepthomi, GB H. Tovito Ayemi and TVC chairman K. Kakheho Yepthomi and secretary Heloto K. Anche said the situation would have escalated had it not been for the mass public outcry led by the village council and students’ union and STH of the village.

The GBs, village council, Sumi Totimi Hoho and elders of Thahekhu village, at an emergency meeting held Thursday at the residence of village head GB, resolved that Thahekhu village would cease to support or cooperate with any faction found disturbing the peaceful atmosphere of the village or provoking such incidences in the future, the statement said.

Meanwhile, Thahekhu village authorities expressed sincere gratitude to state home minister Imkong L. Imchen, MLA Azheto Zhimomi, MLA Hewoto Awomi, DC Dimapur and subordinates, SP Dimapur and subordinates, Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (SKK), Western Sumi Totimi Hoho, Western Sumi Youth Front, Western Sumi Students’ Union, Highway Area Sumi Students’ Union, Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur, Naga Council Dimapur, security forces, DNSU, neighbouring public leaders and all individuals and organizations for defusing the situation.

NSF condemns
Expressing anguish over the “factional clash” that occurred at Thahekhu village, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) Thursday “strongly” condemned the incident.

NSF, in a statement issued by its general secretary N. Ejanthung Ngullie, said the incident occurred “on a significant day” when student community in all Naga inhabited areas, under the aegis of NESO, was imposing 12-hour bandh against “various forms of atrocities and step-motherly treatment” of government of India and people in mainland India on northeast students and people, particularly Nagas.

NSF said it questioned the integrity of “national workers” as to why such violence was created when they should have instead join hands and supported the common cause.

The federation cautioned it would restrain from extending cooperation to any Naga national group if such factional clashes continued in future.

Federation also appealed to all the “warring Naga national groups” to shun violence and work towards better understanding and harmony in the Naga family and listen to the hue and cry of the Naga people for peace and unity.

WSSU condemns clash
Strongly condemning the “factional clash” at Thahekhu village Block-5, Western Sumi Students’ Union (WSSU) said it was shameful that Naga brothers were fighting on the day when NSF had imposed a “peaceful bandh to bring peace and harmony towards the fellow Nagas”.

In a release, WSSU general secretary Botovi V Yeptho appealed to both the factions to “stop killing each other” keeping in mind the ceasefire agreement and Nagas who yearned for peace. It also asked all right thinking citizens to condemn such “factional clashes.”

ASU condemns
Angami Students’ Union (ASU), strongly condemning the factional clash that took place in Dimapur, Thursday said the clash occurred even as the students were out in protest against the atrocities meted to northeast people, adding such act of violence was detrimental to peace, and uncalled for.

Further, ASU appealed to all the factions to maintain peace and tranquility among the Nagas and restraint from factional clashes as it only beget more bloodshed. “The union also further appeals the factions to hear the cry of the public for peace in our land,” ASU said.