Factional feuds claim 105 lives in Nagaland

Kohima, Jul 12: The unabated inter-factional clashes between the rival factions of the NSCN in various parts of Nagaland have claimed 105 lives from January 1 till July 10 this year.

Official statistics released here on Saturday July 11, stated that since the beginning of the year, altogether 20 different cases of inter-factional clashes were recorded throughout the state, in which a total of 51 persons, comprising two civilians, 10 cadres from the NSCN-IM and 39 cadres from the GPRN/NSCN, were killed.

Besides, during the above mentioned period, a total of 73 different cases of factional huntings were witnessed, which claimed a total of 54 lives, including cadres of rival factions of NSCN and one Indian Reserve Battalion jawan. The month of May witnessed the bloodiest phase of the year in Nagaland, during which 34 lives were lost and 31 incidences were reported in the state, followed by June, during which, 12 inter-factional incidents were reported and altogether 32 cadres were killed.

Despite the efforts of the Gaon Burahs (GB) and Dobhasis (DB), Peace Forums, initiatives by various mass-based organisations, church bodies, political and government bodies, the general public as well as the Naga Peace Summit in Chiang Mai in Thailand on June 26, the bloodshed continued.

A joint declaration, signed by Y Wangtin Konyak, Deputy Kilonser of GPRN/NSCN and V S Atem, emissary to the collective leadership of NSCN-IM, also condemned the attacks by both the NSCN factions and agreed that their cadres should go back to their respective camps and confine themselves there.

However, peace was still elusive in the state and there are apprehensions of further violence due to rivalry in a bid to dominate areas in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the Naga society as a whole continued to strive for peace and pacify the warring factions and the people were optimistic for a peaceful atmosphere in the near future.

UNI