Combing operation on in Tirap to flush out insurgents

Itanagar, Feb 15 (PTI) Security forces have launched amassive combing operation at Konsa village in ArunachalPradesh''s Tirap district to flush out insurgents engaged ingun battle for area dominance.

"The CRPF, Assam Rifles (AR) and state police havelaunched combing operation in the village since last eveningand recovered 18 empty cartidges of automatic rifles from theshootout site", Tirap superintendent of police Vikramjit Singhsaid today.

"All steps are being taken to restore confidence amongthe people and a meeting involving all sections includingtraders has been convened at Khonsa later today," Singh added.

A NSCN(K) cadre was killed in a factional feud withNSCN(IM) in the village, 4 km from Khonsa, the districtheadquarters on Sunday.

Following rumours that a Naga group has asked traders tovacate Khonsa township all shop owners down shuttersyesterday. The market opened after CRPF and AR intensifiedpatrolling in the township", the SP said.

There have been intermittent gun battles for areadominance between two NSCN factions since December afectingpeace in Tirap, which along with Changlang district wasdeclared disturbed under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Actin 1991.