TAMENGLONG, July 3: In a fierce gun exchange between 6^th Regiment and Village Defend Party at Boreneu (Chotoninglo) village under Maibang Police station of North Cachar Hill of Assam early in the morning today. In the fate incident one Zeme was killed, one seriously injure and Indian Army nabbed one village defend party and till late evening some youths of village defend party still missing.

While informing this to this correspondent, one leader of Village Defend Party and one social worker of NC Hill said  that the incident took place when the Village Defend Party are guarding the Boreneu village, the India Army along with suspected DHD(D) ceasefire group came and fire upon them around 6 am today.

In the meantime, the NSCN: IM Zeliangrong Region GPRN strongly denied involving in today’s firing. The spokesman over the telephone said that the India Army is allegedly telecasting on some TV channel that they had gun battle between their force and NSCN: IM. Further, the spokesman also said that no “IM” cadre is deployed at that village and their statement are baseless and erroneous.

The deceased person is indentified as one Paukaneung Newmei 26 son of Paudahingbe of Boreneu (Chotoninglo) village, the injured person is Eliangbe 27 son of Duilakbe, Hejaichak village and the person arrested by the army is indentified as Poucheleung Newmei 26 son of Reuhingbe of Hejaichak village.

The village defend party alleged that both the Indian Army and the DHD(D) ceasefire group in join mission is burning down   numerous of the Zeme Nagas villages. “There are many instances that when the Indian Army came to Zeme Nagas village and just after leaving the village the DHD(J) starting attacking the village”, the source added. 

In the meantime the Zeliangrong Baudi Assam, Zeliangrongpui Baudi (Zeme Mother’s Association) Assam, Zeme Student’s Unit Assam, Zeme Naga Council Assam strongly condemned the Indian Army and they also appeal to release the nabbed youth without any condition.