Dimapur, Feb. 8 (EMN): Peeved by what it stated were the activities of the Assam Rifles in the form of raiding residences of functionaries, the NSCN (IM) has warned of retaliation in the event of ‘repeated aggression.’
The NSCN (IM) issued the warning in the backdrop of a raid carried out by the Assam Rifles on the residence of one “colonel” Temjen Ao of the ‘Naga army’ at Chumukedima on Feb. 7.
A press release issued by the NSCN’s (IM) ‘MIP’ on Thur. alleged that the AR team ransacked the residence.
Also, the NSCN (IM) has condemned another raid stated to have been carried out by the 42th Assam Rifles on the residence of Teputhe Angami, stated to be a member of the group’s steering committee at Tenyiphe-II village in Chumukedima on Jan. 19. It claimed that the recent incident was the fourth of raids carried out by the security force on his residence in two years. It stated that the Assam Rifles not only mentally harassed the family members but harassed the neighbouring villagers as well.
The NSCN (IM) has stated that the unwarranted raids by the Assam Rifles violated clause (a) of the Cease-Fire Ground Rules signed between the Government of India and the NSCN. By conducting raids in the name of law and order situations, the group stated that the Assam Rifles had exposed its attitude towards the NSCN. This has aggravated the law and order problems, it stated.
The organisation, while noting the acts of the Assam Rifles, questioned the ‘sincerity’ of the government of India which it stated had been holding peace talks with the NSCN to settle the more-than-60-years old Indo-Naga conflict.
In order to maintain the sanctity of the Cease-Fire Ground Rules and to create atmosphere conductive for peaceful political dialogue, the NSCN has urged the Assam Rifles and the government of India to penalize the Indian army personnel for putting the peace talks ‘at risk.’ In the event of repeated aggression by the Assam Rifles, the NSCN warned that the group’s ‘Naga army’ would be compelled to retaliate for which the entire responsibility would fall on the government of India.
