DIMAPUR, May 5 � While the Nagaland Cabinet in an emergency meeting on Monday deliberated on the ambush on the Assam Rifles by NSCN(K) on May 3 at Changlangshu in Mon district, Chief Minister TR Zeliang briefed the Centre on the prevailing law-and-order situation in the State.
The Chief Minister�s Office (CMO), in a communiqu�, informed that the Cabinet conveyed its anguish over the loss of precious lives and expressed deep concern over the incident that took place despite several appeals made to maintain ceasefire. The Cabinet further emphasized that killings in any manner cannot bring about solution to the prolonged Naga political problem and appealed to all concerned to desist from violence.
It was further informed that the Chief Minister, who is in Delhi, apprised Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju about the incident and urged the Government of India to insist on the NSCN(K) to reconsider their stand and extend the ceasefire agreement as the people of Nagaland wanted peace.
The CMO also said Chief Minister Zeliang had conveyed that �killings and acts of violence will not bring solution. It is only through dialogue and negotiation alone that permanent settlement and peace can be brought about which is the ultimate desire of the people�.
Meanwhile, the United National Liberation Front of West South East Asia (UNLFWSEA), formed recently under the chairmanship of NSCN(K) chairman SS Khaplang, has taken responsibility for the attack on security forces on Sunday. Eight jawans of Assam Rifles, including a Naga TA Bn jawan, were killed and nine others injured in the attack.
A statement issued by ULFA(I) on Monday stated that the UNLFWSEA, a common platform of NSCN(K), ULFA(I), KLO and NDFB, had carried out the joint attack on Assam Rifles troopers at Changlangshu village in Mon district. The UNLFWSEA was formed on April 17 under the chairmanship of NSCN(K) chief SS Khaplang, ULFA(I) publicity secretary Arunodoy Asom said in the statement.
With Chinese intelligence playing an active role in encouraging the NE groups to come together on a common platform, the move to form the UNLFWSEA comes close on the heels of NSCN(K) abrogating the 14-year-old ceasefire agreement. Khaplang played a key role in organising the meeting of militant groups, sources said.
It may be mentioned that a high-level official delegation of the State visited Tobu on Monday and held discussion with people, besides senior Assam Rifles officers. At the meeting, the high-level team requested people not to be apprehensive and contact civil and police officers for any matter.
Earlier on Sunday night, Mon DC and SP visited the site of the ambush and also held a meeting with villagers of Changlangshu. They advised people to remain calm and extend cooperation with police and security forces to maintain peace in the area.
The DC also issued prohibitory orders from 6 pm to 6 am on Monday and asked the villagers under Manyakshu sub-division to remain indoors during the period.
Meanwhile, leaders of 10 surrounding villages and towns have strongly condemned the ambush leading to the deaths of eight jawans of Assam Rifles and TA Battalion and injury to nine others. The leaders of the 10 villages and towns said, �Such bloodshed and violence within Monyakshu sub-division will not be tolerated and it is against the interest of the general public who desire peace and tranquility to prevail in the region.�
Further, they also resolved to take all measures to prevent such bloodshed and also not to cooperate with any faction or group that created violence within Monyakshu sub-division, as per the joint resolution of Tobu-Moka adopted on April 17, 2015.
