Nagaland: Assam Rifles denies NSCN (Khango) allegations

DIMAPUR — Assam Rifles has denied the allegations made by NSCN (Khango) pertaining to May 21 incident.

A defence release issued by PRO (Defence) stated that basing on inputs duly corroborated regarding movement of armed cadre from ceasefire office of NSCN (Khango) at Block-V in Thillixu village to carry out extortion from fish market, a check post was established by Assam Rifles on May 21 at around 9 pm near Block-I, Thillixu following all protocols. It added that the suspected individual, who was riding a motorcycle on being stopped for checking due to suspicious movements, tried to escape.

It claimed that suspected cadre, on being caught, behaved in an aggressive manner using offensive language and tried to intimidate Assam Rifles soldiers on duty. It stated the individual was searched and one 9 mm pistol with a magazine alongwith ten rounds were recovered. In addition the cadre was in possession of three fake duplicate coloured photocopies of special cards issued by the supervisor of Ceasefire Supervisory Board (Khango), Impyangpa Ao, which further raised suspicion.

It stated after due verification, the individual was freed immediately with strict warning not to carry fake and duplicate photocopies of special cards and not to run away from Assam Rifles check post on being stopped for checking.

The allegations regarding interruption in shifting of cease fire office on March 25, the security forces has termed as absolutely baseless as Assam Rifles itself ensured secured environment in Thilixu village in view of likely inter-faction clashes with splinter group of Khango faction. It claimed all cadres moved to new ceasefire office at Block-V, Thilixu, uninterrupted except one ‘ss’ Brigadier Phueka, who was wanted by the Nagaland Police for statement regarding his involvement in Lamhainamdi killings 2021 case crime number 02/2021 under sections 302/120B/188/34 IPC R/W25 1B/27(3).

It further added that Assam Rifles has always been in the forefront to enforce and ensure Cease Fire Ground Rules and to stop nefarious activities of armed groups.