NSCNs stop firing, standoff continues

Kohima, Oct 28 (UNI) Clashes between rival factions of the NSCN, which began on Thursday, have stopped with the interference of the district administration, but the standoff still continues.

Official sources said so far one cadre each of both factions were killed in the longest ever inter-factional clashes in the Amiphoto colony in Zunheboto town. While the body of an NSCN-IM cadre was retrieved by the police, that of the NSCN(K) was yet to be recovered.

The district administration had requested the NSCN-IM to give safe passage to the NSCN(K) cadres, whom they have seized. The NSCN-IM reportedly agreed to it but with condition that they will hand over their arms before leaving.

The sources said about 200 NSCN-IM cadres had cordoned off about 60 NSCN (K) cadres in the Amiphoto colony, from where all the civilian residents had fled to safer places.

Meanwhile, the Sumi Hoho, the apex traditional body of Sumi has condemned the clashes.

UNI AS PL PA RN1443