Source: The Sangai Express / Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, March 09:
The recent spate of skirmishes and the conduct of various armed groups has put the entire district into a delicate and shaky situation as factional clashes have erupted once again to throw a spanner to normal life.
Four days after six HNA cadres were executed by a rival group in the State's frontier with Mizoram, a peace committee launched under the aegis of Hmar Christian Leaders' Forum declared in their press statement that the ceasefire it had initiated between the splinter groups, HNA and HPC (D) can no longer be pursued.
The declaration was made after the HNA made it known that it will retract from the ceasefire following the execution.
Such a development among the splinter armed groups, added by the killing of an old hand in rebel activities and former leader of the Zomi Re-unification Front (ZRF) last night has aggravated the situation.
Siamthianmuan alias Benjamin (30) son of Tualhen of Bukpi but residing at New Lamka, Dorcas Veng, a ZRA deserter was abducted from his residence by ZRA cadres at around 5 pm yesterday.
His bullet riddled body was retrieved by the local police from Nghathal village early morning today.
While working with the ZRF, he was apprehended with a pistol at Imphal sometime last year, and later, after he returned to Zomi Re-unification Organisation (ZRO) he had declared that the ZRF has been wrapped up for good.
Again on the eve of the recently concluded Assembly election, he was apprehended by BSF personnel along with an AK-56 Rifle and 18 live rounds.
One of his accomplices identified as Thangneo Baite of Moreh at Chiengkonpang village was also arrested along with him, but the latter was set free on bail.
The security forces too did not lack behind in adding to the fragility of the situation.
Dressed in civvies, personnel of 3 AR were later yesterday engaged in a hot pursuit with some extortionists.
Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF), in a press release issued today said it was amazed by the conduct of the Assam Rifles.
Such 'indecent' conduct only creates fear psychosis among innocent civilians, it alleged adding 'The naked display of assault rifles in civvies toward unarmed and innocent civilians is uncalled for and unwarranted'.
Further, the ZSF condemned what it term as the 'stunt action' of the AR personnel and asked them to abide by their service rules.
Assam Rifles, meanwhile, claimed that a KLA member identified as Komkhothang Kipgen alias Jeill of New Buongbal was apprehended during the said melee, while two of his accomplices managed to escape amongst the crowd.