Correspondent
IMPHAL, NOV 4: At least three cadres were killed and two others injured as a gunfight between rival groups in Manipur’s Noney district broke out early on Wednesday. Though local sources said that the gunfight was between two rival Naga armed groups, the police said that the exchange of fire took place between groups of unidentified armed miscreants at Taodaijang (Buanruang), a remote village under Nungba police station in Noney district early today morning, around 1.55 am.
In the incident, three individuals lost their lives, while two others sustained injuries, the police said in its Wednesday’s daily law and order update.s
The police and security forces have been deployed in the area to take necessary action and prevent further untoward incidents, it added. Meanwhile, local sources said that the gunfight broke out with cadres of Zeliangrong United Front-Jenchui (ZUF-J) faction on one side and a combined team of Kamson faction of the same armed group (ZUF-K) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM).
The sources alleged that the gunfight broke out after the combined group of NSCN(IM) and ZUF(K) allegedly launched an attack on the camp of the ZUF(J) located in the forest area not too so far away from the residential area of Taodaijang village.
The heavy exchange of fire with loud sounds of explosions reportedly continued till around 11.30 am, the local reports said.
Two of the three slain cadres reportedly belonged to the ZUF(J) cadres while the other reportedly belonged to the ZUF(K).
The slain ZUF(J) cadres were identified as Corporal Meijianthui Thaimei of Lunglei village and Lance Corporal Gainigam Kamson of Luangchum village, both in Noney district.
The third slain cadre could be one Aihung Khumba of Pungmon Chingchen village, a ZUF(K) cadre. The dead bodies were discovered by the villagers who visited the affected area after the cross firing ceased before the police or security forces could reach out. The villagers also reportedly intercepted two critically injured cadres nearby the clash site.
A reliable report which could not be officially confirmed said that one of the injured cadres succumbed to his injuries. Other sources quoting the villagers said that the heavy cross firing for hours forced the villagers to remain indoors .
It was only after the firing ceased, that they inspected the site only to discover the dead bodies.
Meanwhile, in a condolence statement, the ZUF(J) confirmed the loss of its two cadres in today’s gunfight. The statement extended deep condolences over the deaths of the two cadres and claimed that the two cadres lost their lives during a joint operation reportedly carried out by “NSCN-IM, NSCN-K (Niki Sumi) and Kamson Gang” at Taodaijang village.