IMPHAL, Oct 18: An encounter between suspected cadres of NSCN (IM) and Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) broke out at a Tamenglong district area today.
According to a reliable source, the shoot-out took place from around 5 am at a dense forest near Guiteng Chingkao, which is about 2 kilometres west of Khoupum Dam under Tamenglong district.
The source conveying that casualty, if any, on either side could not be confirmed due to remoteness of the site of incident however informed that local women activists of Khoupum areas have left for the area to avert disastrous consequences.
As pre-emptive measures villagers near the site of the gun clash have fled to safer places, said the source.
Another source maintained that ZUF cadres opened fire upon spotting suspected NSCN (IM) cadres advancing towards their position.
In case the encounter involve cadres of NSCN (IM) and ZUF, today’s incident is the third such clash between the warring groups this month after relative lull in the district was first shattered on October 7 night at Leishok village area followed by a similar shoot-out three days later at Vamgaijang village area under Tousem sub-division.
It may be mentioned that six persons, including five cadres of the NSCN (IM) and a civilian driver, got killed when ZUF activists laid ambush against a group of NSCN (IM) on October 7 in the Nungba sub-division area.
Notably many civil society organisations and students bodies have appealed to stop fraticidal killings.