NSCN-IM justifies overrunning Vihokhu camp

Kohima, Jun 27 (UNI) The NSCN-IM today justified overrunning of the Vihokhu camp, claiming it to be 'illegal', and said even the Central government had declared the camp illegal.

It said the centre took no action so far to shift the cadres and the NSCN-IM had ''no other option'' but to overrun the camp yesterday.

The Convener of the Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG) of NSCN-IM told newsmen that after declaring the Vihokhu camp 'illegal', the NSCN-IM had raised the issue at several meetings and was awaiting action from the government, as the cadres had engaged in abduction, extortion, killings of many NSCN-IM activists and in other criminal activities.

''When there was no action from the government of India, the NSCN-IM took the decision to evict the camp and the process was completed yesterday,'' he said.

The NSCN-IM had yesterday overrun the Vihokhu camp, the headquarters of NSCN/GPRN under the Niuland Sub-Division in Dimapur and destroyed the camp. Altogether 47 vehicles, including two two-wheelers and a bulldozer, were burnt, along with scores of hutments for the shelter of the cadres of NSCN/GPRN.

Later, the police and the district administration entered the campsite and recovered seven bodies--five of NSCN/GPRN and two of NSCN-IM--amid the billowing smokes of burning vehicles and hutments.

They also found an injured NSCN/GPRN cadre. Nearby villagers also helped the authorities to recover the bodies and the injured.

Earlier yesterday, hundreds of people, led by women, were trying to go to the site to stop the warring cadres, but the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) stopped them as a fierce gun battle was on.

UNI AS PL KK AS1313