The gunfight took place on Monday evening near Longmai Part 5, under Noney Police Station.
TFM Desk
Two cadres were killed in an alleged factional encounter of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF). The encounter took place on Monday evening near Longmai Part 5, under Noney Police Station.
In a release issued by ZUF Ministry of Information and Publicity secretary Hozam Thaimei condoling the deaths, ZUF expressed “deepest anguish and resentment” on the demise of “Pou Sergeant Major” Sumgailung a.k.a. Patrick Gonmei S/o Sanjoy Gonmei of Namdailong village Cachar Lakhipur district, Assam and “Pou Lance Corporal” Keineliang Panmei S/o Huhiamrawang Panmei of Changdai village Tamenglong district, Manipur.
“We declare today that the perpetrators will not be spared for their crimes against the ZUF which greatly hampers the Zeliangrong people’s cause of Zeliangrong Homeland,” it stated.
The release further stated that the duo gave up their precious lives in a gun battle with the rivals at Longmai (Part V) village, Noney district. The untimely death of Sumgailung Gonmei and Keineliang is a huge loss for the ZUF government and for the entire Zeliangrong community, it added.
“They served in the Zeliangrong Tiger Force (ZTF), an armed wing of the ZUF and sacrificed towards Zeliangrong people which will be cherished forever”.
The release also stated that the ZUF expressed heartfelt gratitude to Longmai Pei (Village Court), Longmai Village Authority, Longmai Women Society, Longmai Youth League and Longmai Student Organization for the humanitarian assistance extended in the aftermath of the ill-fated incident of encounter causing deaths and other hardships.
“The Zeliangrong United Front stands by the bereaved families, love and dear ones of our fallen heroes in this hour of mourning and lamentation, we send our heartfelt condolences. Zeliangrong Tiger Force salutes our brave comrades on this day and reassures that their supreme sacrifice today shall not be a waste. May their souls rest in peace in the arms of our Lord God Almighty!”
Meanwhile, another release by ZUF Information and Publicity secretary KD Gangmei stated that the ZUF in its operation drive and resorted to gunfire in which two cadres from the “counterpart met their own destiny”.
“After ample warning given and the gangster group being denounced by the general public and CSOs, no further option could be considered other than to wipe them out from the society. In an encounter with the NSCN-U led by Raitu-Kamson group at Longmai (Noney)-5 (Samkaijang) at 6:30 pm at the vicinity of Assam Rifles, on May 24, 2021, Late Sumgailung Gonmei S/o Samroi Gonmei of Namdailong Village, Cachar Assam and Late Keineliang S/o Huhiampou of Ramlalong, Tamenglong were shot dead at the spot and more casualties could be ascertained”.
The ZUF has set its mission to clean and clear of all anti-social elements in all Zeliangrong inhabited areas. The ZUF having a credible account of holding the political process and correspondences with the GOI and with the people for collective and final settlement of the long-drawn Zeliangrong political issues shall closely watch and work with and in the interest and aspiration of the Zeliangrong people.
The release also “cautioned and informed” all concerned Indian military and CSOs to stay free and clean from any corrupt linkages with the “socially denounced” group in whichever and whatever form or manner.
The release further urged and appealed to the publics and concerned organisations to understand the “actual and current political circumstance prevailing wherein our people are facing critical and momentous changes to which we are coping and dealing”.