Shamator clash spread to Kiphire district
Kohima, Jan 6 (UNI) The on-going conflict between Yimchunger and Tikhir tribes in Shamator, under Tuensang district, has now spread to Kiphire district, where two villages were attacked by unknown gunmen yesterday.
Nagaland Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner T N Mannen said the miscreants had raided Phokhdur and Kiusem villages under Pungro sub-division of Kiphire district.
The miscreants, belonging to Tikhir tribe, set afire altogether 18 houses, of which five were government houses. There was no report of any casualty, he said.
Mr Mannen said the Kiphire Superintendent of Police alongwith the Deputy Commissioner and district administrative officials have rushed to the spot.
Police and Assam Rifles personnel were deployed soon after to stop further spread of this inter-tribal war.
The conflict had started last December after the Yimchunger Student Union announced their annual conference at Shamator.
The Tikhir tribe, which was once counted as a sub-tribe of Yimchunger, now demanding independent recognition had staged protests at the conference, leading to gun battles.
So far, five persons, including one police official, were killed in the civil war.
Sources said many houses were burnt in three villages of Sangkumti, Kushan and Phokhur under Shamator area on Thursday night, but has not yet been confirmed officially.
UNI