Dimapur, November 30 (NNN): In a major breakthrough, two NSCN (IM) cadres have been identified as the persons responsible for the shooting of a senior journalist, Xavier Rutsa of the daily Nagaland Post.

Rutsa is also the Kohima Correspondent for the Times of India.

The scribe was shot in the right buttock from behind while he, alongwith his colleague and Kohima Press Club President, Atou Liezietsu, were returning home after work on the night of November 24, according to reports carried in Dimapur based newspapers.

According to the reports, �Capt� Chuanga and �Lt� Yanger Ao were taken into the custody of the NSCN (IM), the day after the incident, and they were later taken to the outfit�s Council Headquarters at Camp Hebron, Munglamukh where interrogations are reportedly on.

The newspapers reports further said that the two have confessed to having shot at the scribe under the influence of alcohol and that the attack was not pre-meditated.

However, none of the NSCN (IM) leaders were available for comments on the issue, added the newspapers reports.

Meanwhile, police have hinted that they too have identified the would-be-killers and that they would ask the culprits to surrender, said the reports.

The attack on the senior journalist had sent shockwaves throughout the State and outside and there was much public outcry and outrage against the attack on a member of the fourth estate.

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