Three killed have been identified as Thangien Dibragede (37), Niprunjoy Dibragede (20) and Hokolal Dibragede (40). Sources said that 238 families were residing in the village which had five rice mills. Apprehending attacks by miscreants, local Dimasa youths were guarding the village.
The miscreants snatched away at least 11 licenced guns from the Dimasa youths, sources said. A Dimasa village named Jurai near Halflong town was burnt by a group claiming themselves as Citizens Right Protection Volunteers yesterday. These incidents virtually signalled a communal clash between the Dimasas and some other tribes.
Dilip Nunisa, chairman of pro-talk DHD faction told The Sentinel over telephone that these were the handiwork of Zemi Naga, backed by NSCN (I-M) and Christian missionaries. Nunisa said one Makhan Zeleng, a Zemi Naga from Manipur, is leading the attacks on the Dimasa village. The DHD chief expressed anguish over the silence of the State Government as well as organizations like the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the Axom Xahitya Xabha (AXX). He said: “Their silence implies that they don’t bother about NC Hills.” Nunisa further said till now the Dimasas have not retaliated, but their patience should not be misunderstood as cowardice.
Meanwhile, another source quoting a CRPV activist said that DHD had asked the local traders not to sell rice to non-Dimasa people. Nunisa rejected the allegation outright claiming that it was he who had first raised the demand for resumption of train services so that essential commodities could reach to the common people.
Meanwhile, an intelligence source said the NSCN (K) has also joined hands with its one-time arch-rival NSCN (I-M) with the sole motive of establishing greater Nagalim comprising a part of the NC Hills. CRPV was actually an outfit formed by Naga groups and backed by Christian missionaries. A closed-door meeting was held at Lodi Basti near Haflong between the two factions of NSCN where the formation of CRPV was mooted, sources said. Since then Zemi Nagas were seen deserting their concerned villages and concentrated in a particular village with the motive of launching serial attacks on the Dimasa villages.