Inter-factional clashes leave 3 dead

Kohima, Apr 18 (UNI) At least three cadres were killed and another was critically injured in an exchange of fire between rival factions of the NSCN in three separate incidents at Dimapur.

Official sources said here today the factional fights started at the Wungram Colony of Dimapur town yesterday, when suspected NSCN (Unification) cadres attacked two NSCN-IM ultras. One of the NSCN-IM cadres was critically injured, but managed to escape, while the attackers abducted the other.

In the second incident, the NSCN(U) cadres opened fire on two ultras of the rival faction at the Khermahal area of Dimapur, critically injuring one of them. The injured NSCN-IM cadre later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

In the third incident, suspected NSCN-IM activists waylaid one vehicle at the Eros lane, killing two NSCN(U) militants on the spot.

Meanwhile, Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L Imchen condemned the incidents.

''Even when all the Nagas have been urging for peace, unity and reconciliation among different groups, such an ugly incident of factional killings and abduction has occurred in the heart of Dimapur town,'' the Home Minister said.

He called for stringent measures to curb recurrence of such incidents and appealed to people to condemn such acts which were detrimental to society and Naga cause.

The Joint Forum of the Gaon Burahs (GBs) and Dobhasis (DBs) of Nagaland, in a statement, issued by its Chairman K Vikuto Zhimomi and Convenor A Taku Longkumer, said despite several appeals to the different factions to uphold and honour the ceasefire agreement among the factions, the clashes were clear indications of attempts to sabotage the peace process.

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