Four cadres of the Eastern Flank of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) were shot dead by a rival group at Hongbei village under Kasom Khullen block in Kamjong district.
The incident took place on Saturday around 9.20 p.m., when the victims were traveling along the Imphal–Kasom Khullen road. They were stopped and shot dead shortly after reaching Hongbei village. Of the six cadres, two managed to escape, while the remaining four were killed on the spot.
The deceased cadres, all posthumously promoted in rank, have been identified as Major Sochipem Phungshok (Army No. AX-40200), Sergeant Major Zairay Vasah (No. 45655/22), Sergeant Bahnle Ahlahpya (No. 45592/21), and Sergeant Thansomi Washi (No. 44982/19).
According to a statement issued by Lieutenant General A. Raman—MM, MC of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim, the cadres were returning from a routine duty assignment near the Indo-Myanmar border, where they had been monitoring timber and other business activity at Kasom Khullen. On their way back, they were stopped at Hongbei village junction by 2nd Lieutenant Mathotmi of Shihai Khunou village, along with 2nd Lieutenant Starling of Lairam village and their group.
The statement said someone in the group said, “It’s us; let them go”—but 2nd Lieutenant Mathotmi allegedly overruled that, ordering, “It’s them; we are ordered to shoot.” The group then opened fire indiscriminately, killing four cadres on the spot.
“Such an order to shoot at our own cadres cannot be from a mere 2nd lieutenant—the order must come from the highest level, Collective Leadership or the Longvibu.” It is a stark and direct accusation against the NSCN/GPRN’s own top command structure.
The Eastern Flank cadres were on duty in accordance with positions laid out by the NSCN/GPRN’s Ministry of Information in February and a Presidential Address by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) dated 23rd February. The group has been publicly aligned with the Ghq/Hebron force against what it describes as adversaries using Kuki militants as a proxy against Naga political interests. The killings of cadres operating under that mandate will now intensify scrutiny on fault lines within the wider Naga political movement, it said.
The outfit paid tribute to the four dead soldiers, saying their sacrifice “will not be in vain” and that it “will bring inspiration to many and pave the way for a better future of our nation.”
Meanwhile, the NSCN(IM) has denied any involvement in the killing of the four cadres belonging to the NSCN Eastern Flank, saying it is “shocked and grief-stricken” by the shootout that occurred at Hongbeim village, leading to the fatalities.
The outfit clarified that no directive had been issued from its general headquarters to initiate any offensive action against other groups or factions.
An internal investigation is underway to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. Those found responsible for what it termed a “botched-up operation” would face action in accordance with its internal rules and regulations, referred to as NARR, the outfit said.
NSCN-IM also appealed to the public to exercise caution and refrain from relying on unverified information circulating on social media.
