Kohima, Nov. 11: Close on the heels of the NSCN (Khaplang) being held responsible for the murder of former Nagaland director-general of police Hesso Mao, the rival Isak-Muivah group has been accused of kidnapping seven persons in Phek district.

Pfutsero Town Council chairman Dingulo Khutso, Chakhesang pastor Nuvosaye Vese and village elder Puneru Chakhesang were among the seven kidnapped yesterday in retaliation to their “active participation” in a rally against the NSCN (I-M) last month.

The rally in Pfutsero town had followed a series of factional clashes between the NSCN (I-M) and the Naga National Council.

A source said the kidnappers took the hostages to Camp Hebron, the NSCN (I-M)’s general headquarters near Dimapur, after a stopover at Zhamai village.

A functionary of the Chakhesang Mission Church Centre confirmed that the kidnapped pastor was at Camp Hebron. “They are all in the NSCN (I-M)’s custody and are being questioned about their role in the protest rally,” he said.

NSCN (I-M) leader Phunthing Shimrang admitted that his outfit had called the pastor and the rest for “discussions”, but denied they were kidnapped.

Another rally is being planned in Pfutsero against the kidnappings. Pfutsero has been the flashpoint of the battle of attrition between the NSCN (I-M) and the Naga National Council.

In Kohima, the police described Mao’s murder on November 8 as a vendetta killing.

The investigation has thrown up leads indicating that some NSCN (K) activists had a grudge against the former police officer.

The police said Mao had commandeered an operation against some NSCN (K) activists in May 2000 after they allegedly robbed money meant for payment of salaries to personnel of the 4th Nagaland Armed Police battalion stationed at Thizama, near Kohima. One person was killed in that operation.

“Mao’s killing was a revenge strike. Even if only a few of its (the NSCN-K) members were involved in the murder, the outfit should own up to it,” a senior police officer said.

On the night of May 3, 2000, the police were taking Rs 2 lakh in a vehicle to Tseminyu when the suspected NSCN (K) militants waylaid the vehicle near the junction of Meriema village and took away the money. One of the alleged robbers, Michael, was killed in the combing operation the following day.

The police suspect Mao’s role in the operation ? he was then the additional director-general of police ? peeved the outfit.