Dimapur, October 25 : The NSCN-IM has termed the allegation of Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Sngh and his deputy Gaikhangam that it ambushed the Chief Minister’s chopper at Ukhrul on October 24 as “false”. In a release issued by its MIP, on Tuesday the NSCN-IM affirmed that it is “completely clean” on this issue and has nothing to do with Ibobi's “state manage ambush”.
According to the NSCN-IM, security was beefed up prior to October 15 especially in three venues namely, District hospital at Hunpung, Chingai Block and LM Block as Ibobi was scheduled to inaugurate the incomplete development projects in Ukhrul on October 24 at Ukhrul. “This was aimed at boosting his dwindling government image as the election is round the corner,” it said.
“Since Ibobi has done so much damage to the Naga people and tribal in general in Manipur for his three anti-tribal bills under his Chief Ministership which also resulted to the loss of 9innocent tribal lives at Churachandpur. Ibobi has been strongly opposing the solution of the Nagas and ceasefire between Government of India and NSCN by which he is against peace but advocating war at Naga areas,” the NSCN-IM alleged. It also noted that Ibobi is also the same chief minister who totally opposed the home visit of the Naga people’s leader General Secretary Th . Muivah, the chief negotiator of the Naga people in the Indo Naga political talks, to his native village thereby resulting in the killing of the two innocent Naga students at Mao gate in 2010.
As such, the NSCN-IM said, the Tangkhul Naga apex body, Tangkhul Naga Long, declared boycott of Ibobi’s visit to Ukhrul for his “anti-Naga” and “anti-tribal mentality, attitude and policies”. “Therefore, such man does not deserve to set foot on the soil of the Nagas,” it said.
The NSCN-IM further said heeding the clarion of the Tangkhul Naga Long, the entire denizens of Ukhrul district extended non-cooperation with Ibobi. It said the entire areas of the hospital to be inaugurated was cordoned off thoroughly and sanitized prior to October 15 till the day of his arrival with tiers of security forces such as Manipur Rifles, IRB, Manipur Commandos, CRPF, Manipur police and Assam Rifles, where even a rat could not penetrate such high security system. “How come explosion took place inside the venue?” the NSCN-IM sought to know. There is no chance for other external forces could do it except within themselves resulting to injury of one IRB personnel, it maintained.
‘Secondly, after Ibobi landed at Bakshi ground the whole town was seen deserted as he was an unwelcome guest. For reason best known to his, Ibobi could not even set a foot on the ground he was confined in the helicopter and took off again after a few minutes,” the NSCN-IM said.
It also said right after he took off, the security commander shouted urgently to all the security forces positioned around the ground to immediately to go inside and then six rounds of AK 47 was fired resulting injury to one Manipur Rifle jawan.
“It so happened that the world came to know that Ibobi instructed to fire some shots so that he may cover up himself from his humiliation and failure either of the three venues and he conveniently blaming that his helicopter was ambushed,” the NSCN-IM stated.
“Can Ibobi answer that, can NSCN waylaid in stationary position or NSCN cadres are inside the security hall?” the NSCN-IM further asked while stating that it could only happen if there is connivance by Ibobi's own security forces.
The NSCN-IM has advised Ibobi to go through video clipping of his take off by chopper and how the shooting took place inside the hall to clear up his mind.
“Ibobi should learn to take responsibility for his failure and not blame NSCN for all his failures. NSCN is completely clean in this issue and nothing to do with Ibobi's state manage ambush,” the NSCN-IM added.
