ANOTHER CIVILIAN INJURED ON SECOND DAY OF STANDOFF
Zunheboto district continued to be under the grip of a war-like situation after several thousand Sümi “volunteers” continued to lay siege on Mukalimi camp of the NSCN (I-M) for the second day, as part of the December 26 public resolution to “flush out” NSCN (I-M) from all Sümi areas.
Zunheboto district continued to be under the grip of a war-like situation after several thousand Sümi “volunteers” continued to lay siege on Mukalimi camp of the NSCN (I-M) for the second day, as part of the December 26 public resolution to “flush out” NSCN (I-M) from all Sümi areas.
A village leader who was present at the spot, confirmed to this Reporter over phone, that Ghukiye Zhimomi, son of Head GB Ghokheto Zhimomi of Khekiye village was also injured after being hit with a bullet in the abdomen Sunday evening.
Reports of heavy and intermittent firing was reported between the volunteers and NSCN (I-M) cadres at Mukalimi camp till late Sunday evening when the NSCN (I-M) men were attempting to retrieve cadres injured during the offensive.
Meanwhile, it was also reported, that the volunteers had reached the third bunker/gate in front of the main camp and cut off any reinforcement to the camp.
Over 6000 volunteers who were pushing towards the camp after crossing ‘red’ boundary mark set up by NSCN (I-M) were fired upon. It was also reported that for some few minutes Sunday late afternoon, the NSCN (I-M) cadres holed up in the camp raised a “white flag.”
Some of the volunteers feared that some of their friends may have died during the onslaught but whose bodies could not be retrieved.
Five injured volunteers airlifted to Dimapur
Five volunteers who were injured Saturday evening were airlifted to Dimapur Sunday and have been admitted in two different Hospitals.
The injured volunteers were identified as Nipulo Chishi (19) son of Khukiho Chishi of Mudutsugho village, Tombo Assumi (18) son of Tovishe Assumi of Luvishe New, Toika Aye (24) son of Viyito Aye of Tichipami village, Vihuto Yeptho (16) son of Ghokiho Yeptho of Phisami village under Kiphire district and Inaka Chophi (22) son of Phukato Chophi of Emlomi village.
Out of the five, Nipulo was seriously injured in the abdomen and thigh. He underwent an abdomen surgery at District Hospital Zunheboto and was airlifted Sunday along with another seriously injured Vihuto. The 16-year old would be undergoing an amputation in his left leg as the nerves and bones were said to be severely damaged by the bullet.
According to family members, the young boy being the eldest in the family had to “volunteer” as it was made mandatory for every family in the village to send a male family member in the “flush out” public operation.
Narrating the incident to Nagaland Post, Tombo another young adult said that there might be other “brothers” who have been shot dead.
Claiming that he and the other “volunteers” were only armed with machetes and wooden implements, he said that the moment he was shot one of the volunteers asked “brother are you shot?” and at that exact moment, the other volunteer was hit by a bullet.
Tombo said that he barely managed to crawl back to safety and could not retrieve the body of the dead “volunteer” as the body fell into a ditch.
Family member of Inaka, who has been seriously injured in his arm, informed this reporter that Inaka was likely to undergo an amputation operation if the doctors were unable to control blood loss. The bones and veins on his left arm were said to be severely damaged.
According to one of the family members, Inaka was behind late Paketo when the bullet that shot Paketo in the head came and hit his left arm. One of the injured, Toika Aye has also lost one finger from his left hand.