Scuffle between Khango-led NSCN (K), Assam Rifles

Dimapur: Cadres of the Khango-led NSCN (K) were reportedly involved in a scuffle with the Assam Rifles on Thursday at the faction’s designated ceasefire monitoring cell at Thilixu village.

The incident reportedly occurred when the Khango faction was relocating their designated ceasefire monitoring cell from Block I to Block V at Thilixu village, after the Thilixu Village Council (TVC) issued a seven-day ultimatum to vacate the premises on March 18.

A TVC member, speaking to the media, said they had issued the ultimatum to vacate the office and while shifting the office on Thursday, Assam Rifles allegedly captured the Khango cadres and demanded one to be arrested.

However, the public did not allow the AR to arrest the cadre as they had taken the responsibility of escorting them safely, he claimed.

Meanwhile, a statement issue by Assam Rifles regarding the incident stated that as per directions received from CFMG, Kohima regarding shifting of NSCN (Khango) cadres from ceasefire office, it received inputs by “own sources regarding likely attack by Isak Sumi faction on Khango cadres as earlier, on March 18, approximately 120 rounds of automatic weapons were fired between both groups at their CF office in Block I , Thilixu village”.

In order to prevent any further inter-factional clashes and to avoid any civilian casualty, Assam Rifles established a vehicle check post near Khango office at around 11:30 am on Thursday, it said.

It went on to state that personnel at the check post were in location to ensure a peaceful environment along with two police persons. At around 12:30 pm, one of the vehicles came out of the CFSB office and tried to escape, it claimed.

“After moving for another 100-150 m after seeing another party ahead, the vehicle turned around and entered the church compound near Khango CFSB office and during search of the vehicle, SS Brig. Phueka was found inside with two cadres,” it read.

Immediately an additional police party reached the spot, however due to protest by the crowd, Phueka could not be taken by the police for further interrogation, it added.

“Incidentally, on March, 4, 2023, SS Brig. Phuyeka escaped from the vehicle check post with two AK 47s and body guards against which an FIR has already been registered by police in Diphupar PS,” it stated.

DCP Chumoukedima also reached the spot at around 1:30 pm to control the situation and apprehend SS Brig Phueka, it said.

“As the situation was getting tense and to avoid any untoward incident, SS Brig Phueka was released by the police,” it added.