Thousands of Sumi volunteers representing various Sumi villages, ended the three-day siege on Ghathashi camp– Zasibituo Battalion Hqs of the NSCN (I-M) Naga army at Mukalimi village, with a final push at 11.32 a.m. Monday.
The first shot on the third day of the siege, was fired at 8.30 a.m. as thousands of volunteers grew impatient while the district administration and security forces deliberated on the safe passage as suggested by the NSCN (I-M).
Security forces including the paramilitary forces were present in large numbers. Police officials expressed helplessness over the idea of providing safe passage sensing that the mood of the volunteers would lead to direct confrontation with the security forces. Besides others, the Naga Mothers Association and other Naga frontal organisations held a meeting with representatives of the Sumi frontal organisations.
After over running it, the volunteers torched the camp which was reduced to ashes, barring the chapel hall, within three hours. One of the volunteers said that the incident was a historic moment of the public voice.
With the camp up in flames and smoke billowing upwards, NSCN (I-M) cadres were seen retreating, even as reinforcements, mostly youth volunteers armed with .303 and .22 rifles, muzzle-loading guns and hand guns, daos and spears surged to the camp in waves.
Shots of jubilation and cheers from the volunteers rung the air even as they shouted “Alhou she” (Praise the Lord in Sumi) while Sumi Totimi Hoho members present at the spot offered prayers for the success of the flush out operation without much casualty throughout the three day siege.
The siege though had its own toll– one Sumi volunteer lost his live and five others injured.
Meanwhile, security sources claimed that the Assam Rifles team recovered five dead bodies reportedly that of NSCN (I-M) cadres. Four bodies were found buried inside the camp while the other one, suspected to have died of fatal injuries, was found in the nearby jungle.
Emotional scenes and bursting of crackers greeted the convoy carrying hundreds of volunteers at Satakha and Zunheboto, as women in Sumi traditional dresses and children carrying banners and placards welcomed them as heroes.
Some of the placards read: “Congrats Sumi Warriors”; “We Are Proud Of Our Sumi Warriors”; Welcome Home Brave Sumi Warriors” and “Sumis, The Naga Legendary Warriors”.
The volunteers gathered at Zunheboto local ground where a brief thanksgiving programme was held.
Funeral of honour
Sumi Hoho has decided to hold a public service to honour the memory of the volunteer killed during three-day ‘Operation Flush Out Mission”.
Camp vacated ‘conditionally’: NSCN (I-M)
DIMAPUR, DEC 30 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) has maintained that their cadres vacated Mukalimi camp “conditionally” and that there was “no victory on the other side.”
Talking to Nagaland Post, NSCN (I-M) convenor Cease-Fire Monitoring Cell (CFMC) Kraibo Chawang said “with mutual understanding with Delhi, conditionally we have left the camp. There is no victory on the other side.”
Appreciating the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for intervening in the standoff, Kraibo said that Delhi has strongly stood for peace and NSCN (I-M) appreciated and acknowledge the PMO’s gesture.
Refuting reports of recovery of five bodies by Assam Rifles (AR) inside the Mukalimi camp, the CFMC convenor said “let them bring out the dead bodies in public” and added that if at all there were any such bodies, NSCN (I-M) would not hide them as it would be a violation of human rights.
He then claimed that only one NSCN (I-M) cadre sustained minor injury during the standoff and has been administered first aid.
Slamming the role of Assam Rifles and state government, the CMFC convenor said that the bias role played by AR and state government was “witnessed” by the public of Mukalimi area. He asserted that NSCN (I-M) was aware of the same.
What was the Assam Rifles doing, questioned the CFMC convenor stating that NSCN (K) and GPRN/NSCN fired upon NSCN (I-M) cadres holed up in the camp in front of the AR.
He said the AR and state security forces however chose to remain just spectators.
Divulging the names of NSCN (K) members who mingled with the Sumi volunteers, Kraibo claimed that “the mob carried NSCN (K) member Hokhuvi to Mukalimi village just after the firing was over.”
CFMC convenor further claimed that one NSCN (K) ‘capt’ Vinoto, son of Khuhevi of Tokiye Town was also injured on his right leg and has been hospitalizes at Rochill Clinic, Zunheboto town.
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