IMPHAL, July 15: An exchange of firing reportedly took place this morning between NSCN (IM) cadres, who are in a cease fire agreement with the Government of India and cadres of another underground organization believed to be a valley based outfit at Wangli village, a place located at the Indo-Myanmar border in Ukhrul district.
The exchange of firing between the well armed men of the two UG groups started this morning at around 6 am and continued till afternoon, informed reliable sources.
During the firing incident, a NSCN (IM) cadre was reportedly killed, while two injured cadres of the other group have been taken away by the cadres of the NSCN (IM) from the spot, informed the source.
Wangli village lies in Kasom Khullen sub-division under the Kasom Khullen Poice Station in Ukhrul district 60 km away from the police station, south east direction towards the Indo-Myanmar border.
A police officer posted at Kasom Khullen police station speaking to IFP said that they have confirmed the report of the firing from the nearby villages.
However, due to lack of transportation and manpower at their police station, they have not been able to go and conduct an inquiry at the place where the firing occurred, he said.
Due to the continuous rainfall for the past few days, most of the roads are under water which has only compounded their problem, he continued and added that an injury will be conducted in regard to the incident at the earliest.
According to villagers of Kangkum village, which is the nearest village from Wangli, a cadre of the NSCN-IM died on the spot after he was hit by a bullet, the police officer informed.
Meanwhile, according to the villagers of Kasom Khullen, a group of valley based UG group were inside the Community hall of Wangli Tangkhul village when they were surrounded by a large number of NSCN-IM cadres from three directions and after some time the exchange of firing started, the officer said quoting the villagers.
During the firing, two cadres of the valley based UG group received bullets wounds.
While the other cadres of the valley based group managed to escape, the two injured were left behind, the police officer said and added that the two have been reportedly taken away by the NSCN (IM) cadres along with them.
However, till late evening there was no official report of the firing incident or any confirmation regarding the identity of the other UG group.