IMPHAL, Nov 14 : The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has warned the NSCN-IM in the strongest term for allegedly harassing and terrorising innocent people in Zeliangrong people in the name of Naga sovereignty.
A press release issued by the outfit’s joint secretary A Riamroi accused the NSCN-IM of betraying their own people and inciting bloodshed among the Nagas contrary to their claim of being ‘freedom fighters’.
In the night of November 8, around 40-60 NSCN-IM cadres led by Major Athui of Rangjeng encircled Soubunglong (Leishok) village and ordered all the villagers to come out and hand over their mobile phones.
After snatching mobile phones, NSCN-IM cadres started harassing the villagers and eight of the innocent villagers were beaten up blue and black.
Then they went to Tuilingpung village and thrashed one village elder and a Meitei without giving any reason.
On the next day (November 9), the NSCN-IM cadres came to Thanagong village and tortured the village youths ruthlessly. Again at Gatao, the NSCN-IM cadres five other youths at dusk the same day, the ZUF conveyed.
On learning about the excesses committed by NSCN-IM cadres, ZUF cadres went in to protect the helpless villagers resulting in a gun battle which lasted for about two hours in which two NSCN-IM cadres sustained severe injuries,
But there was no casualty on the side of ZUF cadres, it claimed. It also appealed to all the right-thinking people to know the real motives of NSCN-IM and give them a befitting response. Whereas the situation remains tense in Khoupum village till today, NSCN-IM has fug out many bunkers in Thanagong village.