6 Naga militants shot dead by Assam Rifles in Manipur

Bodies of six slain NSCN (K) cadres brought back, three officially identified Songlung gun fight : UNC alleges fake encounter

IMPHAL, June 25, 2013

Contrary to the claim of the PIB (Defence Wing), the United Naga Council (UNC) yesterday has alleged that the six cadres of NSCN-K were mowed down by the Assam Rifles in a fake encounter on June 23 at K Songlung village.

The Vice-Chairman of Committee for Alternative Arrangement of UNC, Ashinpou Gangmei, who came to RIMS morgue today denied that the NSCN-K cadres were killed in an encounter.

Flatly refuting the claim of the Red Shield Division, Ashinpou Gangmei said, “We have reports that the encounter was fake and we have prima facie evidence to prove it.”

At the invitation of the CO of 10 AR posted at Noney, the NSCN-K cadres, accompanied by a Major of the AR, left for Noney Part-I to have tea on June 22 evening, he said. Not long after they left for Noney Part-I, their mobile phones were switched off, Ashinpou said.

Pointing out that the cadres were neither armed nor in camouflage when they went out, Ashinpou wondered how arms were recovered from them and how the slain cadres wore combat dresses when their bodies were recovered.

He said the Naga people would take a concrete decision in this regard soon.

Meanwhile, three of the slain cadres were identified today after post mortem examination was conducted at RIMS mortuary.

The three cadres are DK Chuijanglung Dangmei (36) s/o Kapukhin of Thanagong village, Khoupum Valley in Tamenglong district; Th Leikam Thaimei (37) s/o (L) Khangdimlung of Tousemjang and Ch Ngoubibou (26) s/o (L) Nrialak of Iniam village.

The remaining three are suspected to be K Rajenglung of Noney; Labam of Bamgaijang and Majadai of Oinamlong. Official confirmation is awaited till the time of filing this report.

All the cadres wore uniform and received multiple bullet injuries.

Significantly the NSCN (K) has inked a ceasefire pact with the Government of India, though the ceasefire is not extended to the soil of Manipur.

The Army had claimed that the NSCN (K) cadres opened fire when they ran into an ambush laid by the 10 Assam Rifles and 73 Loktak Brigade and were killed when the troops retaliated.

(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)