Imphal, October 17: The factional clashes between the NSCN-IM and the NSCN-K continue unabated with reports of gun-battles pouring in everyday from both Nagaland and Manipur, reports NNN.

Today, reports of clashes between the two NSCN factions have been received from Tamenglong district to which both the factions denied suffering any casualties.

While the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region has claimed to have shot and injured four NSCN-IM cadres, the NSCN-IM has said that if there was any casuality, it must have been incurred in the rival faction but not on their side.

Earlier reports said that at a village called Aben in Tousem sub-division under Tamenglong district, about three militants had been killed following the clashes between the two NSCN factions last night but attempts to confirm the reports drew blank.

However, the information and publicity incharge of the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region issued a press statement claiming that while there were no casualties on their side four NSCN-IM cadres had been critically injured in the fierce gun fight.

The NSCN-K, Zeliang-rong Region further stated that about 40 cadres of the rival NSCN-IM faction attacked the NSCN-K "camp" at Aben village but no one was hurt on their side.

However, four NSCN-IM cadres got critically injured to which the villagers were the witness of yesterday's incident, said the NSCN-K statement.

On the other hand, the NSCN-IM does not want to call it as factional clashes with the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region.

NSCN-IM MIP deputy kilonser Kraibo Chawang said that it had been the Manipur Peoples Army (MPA) that has been trying to create law and order problem in the Naga areas particularly in Tamenglong district.

Kraibo Chawang while informing this to Newmai News Network, has stated that the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region is part and parcel of the MPA.

The NSCN-IM leader further said that the MPA has been leading a handful of NSCN-K elements and has been intruding into the Naga areas without any good intention.

Meanwhile, the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region has cautioned the United Naga Council (UNC) with regard to the October 20 and 21 Senapati conclaves.

The outfit said that if the UNC and other Naga frontal organisations go against the will and wishes of the Naga general public with regard to the forthcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly election, the NSCN-K will befittingly deal those organisations and Naga leaders involved.

The statement further stated that if the move of the UNC and its allies is going to benifit the Nagas then the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region will support.

The NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region then termed the UNC as a "baby organisation" just formed after the Naga-Kuki ethnic clashes.

The outfit then warned that the UNC cannot decide things itself without the concerns of the Naga elders and intellectuals.

the NSCN-K also termed the UNC as "very over-smart" body.

On the other front, the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region stated that the goal of the NSCN-K and the NSCN-IM cannot be compared saying that the former fights for the Naga sovereignty while the later is trying for just greater Nagaland.

NSCN-K was reacting to the statement of the NSCN-IM's statement on October 13 which stated that the Khaplang group has no goal and objective.

Comment