Senior NSCN leader killed

Kohima, Jan 20 : A senior functionary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) was today killed by the rival Khole-Kitovi group at Zunheboto, 150km from here.

Deputy kilonser (deputy minister) of the NSCN (Khaplang), Ghukato Assumi, was killed this afternoon in the heart of Zunheboto town. Sources said the leader was killed with an AK-47 rifle.

The victim was a veteran militant and had worked with Khaplang for over two decades.

Currently, the NSCN (Khaplang) has only one designated camp at Suruhoto town, nearly 20km from Zunheboto.

The body of the slain rebel was later taken to his native town Akuluto, around 40km from Zunheboto.

Firing was still on at Athibung between the two groups, but there was no report of any casualty. Sources, however, said several cadres were injured during the turf war.

Last Sunday, NSCN (Khaplang) had overrun the designated camp of the rival group at Athibung town in Peren district and captured over 20 cadres along with arms. One cadre was killed during the attack.

Over hundreds of armed cadres from the Khole-Kitovi group rushed to the area to flush out the Khaplang cadres.

On December 21, Khaplang cadres overran the designated camp of the rival group at Ghukiye village, 15km from Zunheboto.