LAMKA, July 30: A top functionary of the underground outfit, Zomi Revolutionary Front (ZRF\/ KNO) was shot dead yesterday around 11.30pm at B Vengnuam, Lamka.<\/p>\n
The slained leader of the ZRF, a signatory of the Suspension of Operation with both State and Central governments, has been identified as Defence director Nengzamuan alias Nicholas, 36, son of (L) Khamzaneng.<\/p>\n
He was shot dead inside his rented home at B Vengnuam, Lamka CCpur.<\/p>\n
Nicholar is survived by his wife, a son and three daughters.<\/p>\n
Soon after getting information of the killing, Churachandpur police led by SDPO, Immanuel Fimate rushed to the spot and inspected the site.<\/p>\n
Sources said, the team recovered six empty cases of AK 47 cartridges and another of a 9mm pistol from the site and has registered an FIR no 80 (7) 2014 CCP PS u\/s 400\/302\/34 IPC &25 (1-C)Arms Act.<\/p>\n
Nicholar bore four bullet injuries on his body and had died instantly, informed a source.<\/p>\n
The assailants numbered around five persons and had guns, sources also said.<\/p>\n
According to the ZRF leader\u2019s wife Chiching, a bodyguard of her husband, identified as Mangkhum had come in late that night and called her to open the gate.<\/p>\n
When she opened the gate, she found five of them with AK 47s coming in and three going directly to the room where her husband was sleeping with their son.<\/p>\n
Chiching continued that she was held at gun-point by one, while another stayed at the gate.<\/p>\n
Soon she heard gunshots from inside her husband\u2019s room, then the three came out and along with the two others dashed away in a White Maruti Gypsy which was parked outside the gate, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I entered the room, I found the lifeless body of my husband lying, and our son shaking in fear,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
ZRF c-i-c Lalpu Hangshing has condemned the killing and expressed shock at the manner his right hand man has been killed.<\/p>\n
He said \u201ckilling\u201d is not the solution to attain any objective, whether it is for \u201cZogam\u201d or \u201cKuki\u201d land.<\/p>\n
Killing for revenge must stop, he said before urging all to stop such inhumane action.<\/p>\n
He added the outfit will look after the family of the deceased leader.<\/p>\n
Around 2pm today, the leader was laid to rest at the B Vengnual Cemetry under the Kuki Baptist Association centre church, after KNO and ZRF cadres gave a befitting respect to the departed leader attended by a large crowd.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the information secretary of CCpur. District Students\u2019 Union (CDSU) has condemned the killing and stated that Nengmuan\u2019s killing is a blot to the district and should never be allowed to happen again, in the interest of peace and harmony in the district.<\/p>\n
The KNO has also condoled the killing and said in statement that Nicholas was gunned down in the presence of his wife and 3 years old son by five cadres of Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA).<\/p>\n
The void left by his\u2019 death is immense, but his sacrifice for the Kuki nation will not be in vain, said a KNO statement.<\/p>\n
His death will serve as a catalyst to fulfill the sacrifices he has made – the entire armed wing of KNO and the Kuki people will leave no stone unturned to fulfill his dream of a fully revived Kuki nation, it said.<\/p>\n\n