Tension gripped remote Ukhrul district in Manipur after cadre of the NSCN (IM) fired at a civilian mob protesting against the atrocities of the Naga ceasefire group on common people, which has also led to killing of two youths on Thursday.
According to reports received till Friday evening, the mob has gheraoed the NSCN (IM)’s zonal office in Ukhrul town demanding justice and action against the perpetrators of violence by the Naga militant outfit, which had been in ceasefire agreement.
According to locals, the cadre of the Naga militant outfit beaten to death one Romeo of Khamasom village on charges of raping a woman. The locals, however, refuted the rape charge and said that the woman was his girlfriend.
However, as the locals opposed the killing and agitated before the zonal office of the NSCN (IM), the insurgents opened fire resulting in the death of a protester, Chingripam lungleng on Thursday.
After the incident, the protesters, numbering around 500, attacked the office of the NSCN (IM) by pelting stones and also made an abortive bid to barge into it. They were demanding “justifiable” explanation from the insurgents for killing the duo.
It may be mentioned here that the NSCN-IM has been in a peace agreement with the Government of India since 1997.