Imphal, Sept 26 NNN: There have been fierce gun battles between the NSCN-IM on one side and the combined team of Zeliangring United Front (ZUF) and NSCN-K on the other at Wairangba village near Tamenglong district headquarters yesterday and today.
\nRegarding the casualties, contradictory reports have been pouring-in in the media houses tonight.
\nWairangba Khunou or Matung is located about 12 kilometres in the eastern side of Tamenglong district headquarters.
\nOn the casualty reports, the NSCN-K claimed that six NSCN-IM cadres were killed while the rival group dismissed the reports.
\nA well placed source from the NSCN-K informed Newmai News Network tonight that six cadres of the NSCN-IM have been killed in the clashes and recovered the six weapons of the deceased. On the other hand, Lungchaibi who is the deputy kilonser (minister) of the NSCN-IM in-charge of Zeliangrong Region told Newmai News Network that no one was even injured from his outfit. “Due to the bomb explosion hurled by the ZUF\/NSCN-K cadres, a goat was found killed in our camp.” Lungchaibi also expressed unhappiness that the All India Radio news where it was broad cast that six NSCN-IM cadres were killed in the clashes. “It is unfortunate that false news have been broad cast and published without being authenticated,” rued the NSCN-IM leader.
\nTalking to NNN, ZUF chairman Kamson said it was still not clear the number of casualties. “However, we have driven out the NSCN-IM cadres from the Wairangba Khunou area,” claimed Kamson.
\nAccording to NSCN-IM leader Ringthim, the combined team of ZUF\/NSCN-K came from three directions and attacked their camps at around 5:30 pm yesterday. “They came in large number with well planned to attack our boys whose strength was just 20 to 30,” said Ringthim.
\nAccording to deputy kilonser Lungchaibi, the position of the NSCN-IM was not good at the time of the attacks. “So we have moved up hill and our boys are conducting a worship service at the moment,” disclosed Lungchaibi.
\nMeanwhile, reports reaching here on Wednesday said a fierce gun battle took place between the NSCN-IM and ZUF at Duiluan Matung, also known as Wairangba in the hill district of Tamenglong which lasted several hours. The intermittent fighting started around 5 pm yesterday and continued till noon today during which six NSCN-IM cadres were killed and injured one pastor, the reports said.
\nThe reports further said heavily armed ZUF cadres had been loitering in the area for the last few days. Four mess quarters of the NSCN-IM located in the area. The ZUF have reportedly overrun two out of the four mess quarters.
\nThe gun battles began yesterday at around 5 pm and continued till 10 pm. It started again at around 3 am today and continued for the whole day.<\/p>\n\n