NSCN-IM kills ZUF cadre in Khoupum
Civil bodies express concern over factional clash
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 05 2011: A cadre of the newly formed underground outfit, Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), was killed today in a factional clash with suspected NSCN-IM cadres near Khoupum Khunou village in Tamenglong district, police as well as local sources said.

The clash erupted around 10 am and the deceased ZUF cadre has been identified as Paule, a Zeme tribal from Haflong of Assam's NC Hill district.

He was a former cadre of the NSCN-IM who defected to join the new outfit.

There were no casualties on the NSCN-IM side, a source from IM said.

Further details of the incident are awaited due to communication gap and remoteness of the area from both Tamenglong district HQ and Imphal, but sources said tension high in the area.

The ZUF was floated on February 25 with the primary aim of protecting Zeliangrong interest.

Police believe that the new outfit was formed by around 10 cadres of the NSCN-IM who deserted the outfit with arms and ammunition around the second week of February.

The deserters along with some NSCN (K) cadres formed the new outfit, police sources said.

Furious with the formation of the outfit, a joint meeting of NSCN (IM), NSCN(K) and NNC was reportedly held on February 26 at a village called Atinga in Khoupum valley.

Later, NSCN (IM) served a notice to the ZUF to surrender.

Noting the "factional encounter" seriously, All Zeliangrong Students' Union, Assam and Nagaland and Zeliangrong Youth Front, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, in a statement, said that such factional fights that claim precious lives will hurt the Naga society which is working hard for peace.

Our Tamenglong correspondent added that Zeliangrong civil bodies in the district have strongly condemned the clash.

The Zeliangrong Boudi, Manipur, Zeliangrong Youth Front, Tamenglong, the Zeliangrong Student's Union and member of Forum for Naga Reconciliation, FNR Tamenglong held an emergency and appeal to all to refrain from bloodshed.

The Town Churches Union and Elders Forum for Peace Broker appealed to all to pray and fast tomorrow at their respective churches to protest the killing.

AZSU and ZYF in the statement have appealed to the warring factions to stop violence at any cost.

Peace and bloodshed will not be tolerated in the Zeliangrong region and above all in all Naga inhabited areas, it added.

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