3 NSCN-K Cadres Including Its Finance Secretary Killed

November 03: Security forces on Monday claimed that it has killed three “hard core” NSCN (K) cadres including the group’s finance secretary L Tuccu from Zunheboto district of Nagaland.

According to a press statement from PRO Assam Rifles, Kohima, the three cadres were shot dead during an encounter in Hoshepu village area, Zunheboto district at around 5:15 am Monday morning. It claimed that the cadres moving in a Tata Sumo fired upon the security forces when the vehicle was asked to stop for checking.

Zunheboto police when contacted confirmed the incident. A police official said the incident occurred between Khekiye and Itovi village, some 3-4 hour drive from Zunheboto town and not in Hoshepu village area.

The other two cadres killed in the encounter, were reportedly the body guards of slain L Tuccu, and have been identified as Kihoto and Shikai, police said adding the bodies have been handed over to the relatives. The AR statement alleged that the three cadres were part of NSCN (K) groups that had “infiltrated from across the Indo-Myanmar border equipped with bombs, rockets and heavy weapons to carry out attack against the security forces and instill fear on the public to extort funds from businessmen.”

It also informed that one over-ground worker was apprehended, and a search of the vehicle revealed one AK-47 assault rifle with magazine, assorted ammunition, radio sets, military grade pouches etc. On the spot questioning of the apprehended over-ground worker led to the search of farm house of L Tuccu, where another over ground worker was apprehended with a .12 bore Rifle along with large quantity of ammunition, the release stated. The AR also stated that an Assamese bonded labour who was abducted from Kohima in February 2015 was also rescued.

According to the AR release, finance secretary L Tuccu was a senior cadre of NSCN (K) and was controlling the entire financial transactions in Nagaland and that his death “will be a major setback for the operations of NSCN (K) in Nagaland as well as in Myanmar.” Police said it has no idea of the whereabouts of the over-ground workers who were reportedly apprehended by the security forces.