Gun battle
\nDimapur, Jan 8 NNN : There was a fierce gun battle reported between the NSCN-IM cadres and that of NSCN-K in Arunachal Pradesh today.
\nHowever, it is still not certain if there was any casualty. The clash between the two rival NSCN factions began at around 5 am and lasted till late afternoon in the Khonsa area of Tirap district of Arunaschal Pradesh.
\nMeanwhile, the NSCN-IM claimed that two cadres of the rival group were killed in the clash today. The outfit claimed that the NSCN-K cadres along with Manipur based militants came to attack the NSCN-IM cadres which triggered the gun battle.
\n\u201cOn January 6 the Khaplang group attacked the house of our regional worker at Khonsa area without any reason whatsoever. We remained silent but cautious. But taking undue advantage the K group went further in a very provocative manner when they exposed their actual motive,\u201d the NSCN-IM in a statement claimed. It then added that on January 7 around 170 NSCN-K members along with Manipur based militants armed to the teeth came to the Kabo village and on Sunday morning at around 5 am they marched towards the direction of our camp at Chasha village to launch surprise attack against us. \u201cBut our alert Naga Army personnel doing sentry duty saw them approaching and within no time took position and caught them by surprise before they put their plan into action. In the attack two of them died on the spot and four seriously injured.In the confusion they run away in panic and position themselves in one school located between Longko and Chasha village and fire back against us using lethod bombs. However non of our boys were injured. It is however a matter of regret that the school children were totally displaced and disturbed.Besides two house were also burnt down by the bombs,\u201d the statement further claimed.
\nThe NSCN-IM then stated that placed under such condition the village authorities asked both the parties to vacate the village. \u201cOur boys however stood their ground telling the village authorities that it is the K group who entered the area to attack and without any provocation, so they should vacate and not us,\u201d it added. Put under pressure and with no option left lest further killing may follow they request for safe passage and left the village leaving behind trail of destruction to the village, the outfit further said in the statemenrt.
\n \u201cRespecting the sentiments of the village and welfare of the village students we allow safe passage.The fring last till 4 pm today before giving them safe passage,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n\n