Kohima, November 11 (MExN: The Assam Rifles on Wednesday refuted the allegations of ‘high handedness and harassment of civilians’ leveled against it by the GPRN/NSCN earlier on November 9.
“The statement that Assam Rifles has harassed civilians is baseless and cannot be farther from the truth. Security forces have never troubled any civilian and have only acted against cadres of insurgent groups, indulging in activities in contravention of Ceasefire Ground Rules,” said an official statement on November 11.
As regards to the search operations on November 9, it clarified that “a joint search operation, based on specific inputs, was carried out with the Police including Mahila Police in Purana Bazar, Dimapur.”
“The search of the suspect house was conducted on camera by the joint team in the presence of the occupant, in the most ethical and professional manner, ensuring no discomfort to the resident,” it said.
“However, as nothing incriminating was recovered from the premises, the search column disengaged after obtaining a No-Objection – Certificate,” read the statement issued by PRO (Def) Kohima.
The search operation was carried out by Security Forces under statutory obligation, in the interest of public safety, to prevent any such violation and maintaining peace in the area, it asserted.
Further, it maintained that the Assam Rifles is mandated to ensure peace and tranquility in the area and it “rejects the baseless allegations” clearly aimed at maligning the image of the force.
