Dimapur, April 10 (MExN): The Assam Rifles has refuted allegation of “nexus between GPRN/NSCN, AR” as leveled by the NSCN (K).
A note from the security force today said that on March 31 at 9:30 pm, the Assam Rifles had seized 156 bottles of Rum and 24 bottles of beer at Longkhim post.
“The contraband was handed over to the Police along with names of the guilty individuals namely, Mr Ajang, Mr Asangba and Mr Yamthong Yam, and the vehicle Gypsy No NL 06A0975M for further prosecution. If any of these individuals had been carrying a weapon he would have been apprehended and handed over to the Police,” the Assam Rifles stated.
The note also said that the Assam Rifles had confiscated an AK 47 from one “SS kilonser of GPRN/NSCN Mr Yimto Yim” some time back, as he was carrying two weapons for his protection against the authorized one as per the Cease Fire Ground Rules. “This establishes the neutrality / impartiality of the Assam Rifles,” the AR stated.
The Assam Rifles reiterated that it is a professional and neutral force strictly implementing the Cease Fire Ground Rules to which all factions of the NSCN are also signatories, ‘but habitually and repeatedly flouting.’
“The strict enforcement of the Cease Fire Ground Rules by the Assam Rifles is to protect the common man from the machinations of the various individuals / groups as ‘Friends of the Hill People’. It is apparent that the factions are feeling the heat due to this stringent enforcement by the Assam Rifles and are thus resorting to a media campaign of maligning the Assam Rifles in the public eye and mislead them.”
