NSCN(IM) names commission to probe Hongbei killings, CSOs set ultimatum

Mungchan Zimik
UKHRUL, Mar 30: Following the killing of four cadres of the Naga Army Eastern Flank at Hongbei village on March 28, the NSCN(IM) has constituted a six-member enquiry commission to probe the incident.
An order issued to this effect said the committee is headed by Salemyang Gangmei (MCL) as Team Leader, Khamba Maram, Kihoi Swu, Brig (retired) Akho Nagi and Wungnaoyung Sayai as members, and George Golmei as member secretary.
The enquiry commission is to submit its findings, suggestions and reports by April 10, said the order.
The formation of the enquiry commission came even as several Tangkhul civil society organisations had earlier served a 12-hour ultimatum to the NSCN (IM) to produce two Naga Army personnel allegedly involved in the shooting.
In a joint statement, the civil society organisations, including the Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Naga Awunga Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Tangkhul Katamnao Long and Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, had identified the two persons allegedly involved in the incident as Athot of Sihai Khunou village and Star of Lairam Khullen.
The two persons must be produced before the office of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) by 2 pm today, the CSOs had said.
The civil societies had also asserted that the victims' families will not claim the bodies until their demand is met.
In case the two persons "involved" in the shooting are not produced before the office of the TNL within the stipulated time, the CSOs had said, "The Tangkhul community would launch a strong public movement to show our protest against the heinous crime and barbaric acts."
The deadline set has passed, however, it is not known whether the personnel have been produced before the office of the TNL or not.
Notably, the four cadres of the Eastern Flank, Naga Army were killed in an alleged "ambush" carried out by cadres of a unit of the Naga Army on March 28.
The deceased were identified as Captain Sochipem, Sergeant Major Zairay Vasah, Sergeant Bahnle Ahlahpya and Sergeant Thansomi Washi.
Outraged by the killings, Ukhrul residents had burnt the office of the Wung Tangkhul Region Secretariat of the NSCN(IM) yesterday. A total shutdown was imposed at Ukhrul today. Only health related services and board examinations were reportedly allowed to operate during the shutdown today.