DIMAPUR, APRIL 23 (MExN): With reference to the reports appearing in sections of the media pertaining to the 19 Assam Rifles having recently apprehended an NSCN (IM) cadre in the Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh and of having inflicted torture on him, and of him subsequently succumbing, a press rebuttal was received from the Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing), Government of India and issued by Col R K Palta, PRO (Defence) Kohima.
According to the PRO, based on specific information, a column of 19 Assam Rifles, alongwith Police representatives of Police Station, Khonsa launched an operation in the jungles near Hollam Village in Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh on 15 April 2012. At approximately 1845 hours, the column apprehended one militant, later identified as SS Capt Yormi Horam Tangkhul of NSCN (IM), alongwith one muzzle loaded rifle (Baruah Rifle), an extortion note of NSCN (IM) and two pairs of combat uniformS.
According to the press note, SS Capt Yormi Horam Tangkhul was found to be in a sick state and was, therefore, immediately taken to District Hospital, Khonsa alongwith the local Police representatives where the cadre was handed over in a physically fit condition, after proper medical examination to the SHO, Khonsa Police Station and the District Hospital, Khonsa.
It is learnt that the NSCN (IM) cadre, SS Capt Yormi Horam Tangkhul subsequently expired on 20 April 2012 in the hospital, claimed the press note while adding that proper laid down norms and procedures were followed during the conduct of the subject operation and in the further handing over of the apprehended NSCN (IM) cadre to the police authorities concerned.
“There has been no Human Rights violation by the Assam Rifles troops in this operation. The news-paper reports of SS Capt Yormi Horam having succumbed due to torture, alledgedly inflicted by 19 Assam Rifles, are totally untrue and hence false and malicious, with the probable aim of tarnishing the image of Assam Rifles”, it stated.
