Fierce clashes and fratricidal killings have now become the order of the day in Nagaland following the killing of Dally Mungro, general secretary of the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K). Dally Mungro, who was gunned down by the rival faction was buried at his native village Longkhum in Nagaland’s Mokokchung district. Before the burial a funeral service was held where the slain leader’s wife Khutoli Mungro was present.

Widespread condemnation
Several organisations have condemned the killing of Dally Mungro. Naga Hoho general secretary V Yepthomi in a statement expressed apprehension that if the mindless acts of violence were not immediately stopped, there would be a backlash and more bloodshed in the State.

The Naga Students Federation (NSF) in a statement said that it would not tolerate killings among the Naga families. Incidents of killing like this would not only affect the peace process, but might lead to further bloodshed, NSF added.

The United National Liberation Front (UNLF), an underground organisation of Manipur has condemned the assassination of Dally Mongro allegedly by ‘hooligans’ of the NSCN Isac-Muivah group. In a faxed statement, the UNLF alleged that the NSCN (IM) group had committed the crime at the behest of its ‘Indian masters’ as Dally Mongro was opposed to the ongoing peace talks the group was having with India.

The Tripura People’s Democratic Front (TPDF), while condemning the crime, said that the killing of Mongro would affect the unity process among revolutionary organisations of the region.

The Nagaland unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appealed to all to shun violence as peace was the need of the hour in the region. BJP state spokesman Johny G Rengma said in a statement that when a change of political climate was in the offing, with calls of unity among the Nagas, killing of any Naga leader, including Dally Mungro was reprehensible.

NSCN (IM) owns responsibility
Nine days after the assassination of Dally Mungro, the NSCN (I-M) has formally owned responsibility for his killing and alleged that Dally Mungro, along with Nagaland Chief Minister S. C. Jamir, conspired to "disrupt" the entire ongoing peace talk process between (NSCN-IM) and the Centre.

A statement issued by NSCN(I-M) information and publicity wing said, "In view of misunderstandings prevailing after the execution of Dally Mungro and two of his associates, the NSCN hereby gives some of the reasons that necessitated the awarding of capital punishment on August 18 at Jotsoma.

Naga people want peace
The people of Nagaland overwhelmingly want an end to the conflicts as they want peace, progress and prosperity and a practical solution to the Naga political problem, according to a release by the Defence ministry.

A solution to the Naga political problem can only be possible through negotiations and peaceful means. There could never be a solution through the use of force and violence, it said. The solution must be acceptable to the people of Nagaland and the parties both underground and overground that represent them. Only then would it endure, the release said.

It further said that no single underground outfit enjoys the mandate of the people. They merely represent a section of the people that mistakenly took the path of confrontation. This mandate cannot be gained through coercion. Only respect for democracy and democratic method will work, the release added.

Tension grips Nagaland
Tension has gripped the State in apprehension of factional fights between two rival factions of the NSCN following the killing of Mungro and his associates.

One civilian was killed in crossfiring when activists of the two factions of the NSCN were engaged in a gun-battle in the outskirts of Mokokchung town. District officials said the situation was tense following spurt of factional fightings in different parts of the town. In Mokokchung town, so far three people were killed and four injured in the NSCN factional clashes.

At least one NSCN activist was killed and another injured when two rival factions of the guerilla outfit clashed in Shanator town of Tuensang district. Sources said heavy exchange of fire between the activists of the two NSCN factions continued for half an hour. The warring groups left the place with the arrival of the security personnel.

Appeal to security forces
Nagaland Power Minister K Therie has urged the security forces and police to sternly deal with the violators of the ceasefire in the State. In a release, Mr. Therie pointed out that the state police and the security forces could take action as per the law against any group as the ground rules agreement was signed between the NSCN(IM) and the Centre to protect the life and property of the people.

He said the cadres had been forcibly collecting money, moving freely with arms and intimidating people in the villages and towns, which, tantamounted to violation of ceasefire rules. Mr. Therie said the failure of the security forces and the police to tackle such violations of agreement as being interpreted as helplessness of the government.

Centre trying to abandon peace process : NSCN
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM) alleged that the Centre was desperately trying to invent a pretext to abandon the peace process and shift the blame on the NSCN.

"The Centre has come to fear its incapability to tackle the Naga political issue but at the same time does not want to admit its bankruptcy...and is trying to find a way to abandon the peace process," NSCN (I-M)’s top leader, Th. Muivah, said in a statement. He claimed that the Nagas are honourable people and they shall never deceive the Centre.

"In fact, the NSCN is willing to go the extra mile to understand the Centre and even her interests," he said. Mr. Muivah, however, warned the Centre that it should desist from allegedly concocting false information.