Guwahati: The situation in Nagaland's Zunheboto town, which witnessed two days of gun battle between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and the rival faction NSCN (Khaplang), has returned to normality after residents of the town on Saturday forced the militants belonging to the factions to vacate the residential areas.

Nagaland Home Minister Thenucho, who reached Zunheboto town on Sunday evening to take stock of the situation, told The Hindu over phone that the militants belonging to both the factions left the town in response to the appeal from the people. Mr. Thenucho is scheduled to meet the people of Zunheboto and discuss with them the steps to be taken to prevent the recurrence of any such factional clash.

"People's voice important"

"The situation is normal now. The militants have vacated the Amiphoto colony following an appeal by the public and the Government. The voice of the people is important. Our sincere effort is that peace should prevail in Nagaland," he said.

Thousands of residents of Zunheboto on Saturday marched to Amiphoto colony, when both the factions were engaged in heavy exchange of fire on Thursday and Friday, and compelled the armed cadres to vacate the town. More than 4,000 people fled in the wake of the gun battle between the two factions of the NSCN.

The public led by leaders of local NGOs of the Sumi tribe — Sumi Hoho, Sumi Totimi Hoho, Sumi Kukami Hoho — broke police barricades and marched to the scene of the gun battle in two batches on Saturday raising slogans and met the commanders of the warring factions.

The public urged the militants to vacate the populated areas and go to the jungles in view of the harvest season and ensuing examinations of their children. The militants agreed to leave after much persuasion by the NGO leaders and general public on the condition that no faction would be allowed to remain in the town.

The NSCN (Khaplang) in a statement said they vacated the town in deference to the wishes of the people.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail