Dimapur, January 23 (MExN): The establishment of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) today rubbished claims of the NSCN groups that the security force violated ceasefire ground rules. The IGAR (N) issued a statement today saying that the security forces will ensure implementation of the ceasefire ground rules and peace for the society and people.
“The inter factional clashes of the underground groups for superiority and show of strength over the other groups has led to total breakdown of discipline amongst the cadres and has unleashed an atmosphere of terror and death in the streets. The intentionally generated inter factional clashes/ killings by the leaders of the groups is total violation of the principles and tenants of ceasefire ground rules and the spirit of reconciliation,” the IGAR (N) stated today.
The IGAR (N) reminded that the civilian population is now terrified and has expressed their discontent and disdain in Zunheboto, Dimapur, Athibung and Kohima through several forums. “The underground leaders have shown no respect to their sentiments and contrarily have increased their blatant show of hated power of gun,” the security establishment reminded.
The IGAR (N) said that the Assam Rifles recovered high explosive- contained mortar bombs along with eleven weapons and a large quantity of ammunition from an identity card holder of the NSCN (Khole-Khitovi) group while the consignment was being transported. The cache was for use against the rival faction in the area of Athibung, the IGAR (N) stated.
“A day prior to this Assam Rifles troops seized weapon and ammunition from the NSCN (Khaplang) faction identity card holders as well. Provision of the identity card facility in Cease Fire Ground Rules to the faction was to ensure that the factional leaders are protected during their personnel move. However, the factions have resorted to misusing the identity card facility to concentrate armed cadres in towns and villages to resolve inter faction feuds which are grossly against the spirit of ceasefire.”
The IGAR said that the Assam Rifles are in ‘total sincerity’ to maintaining the ceasefire ground rules and for the peace of the civilian population has been forced to take proactive, preventive and dissuasive measures to control the terror. “In doing the duty, the Assam Rifles troops have been impartial and with total disregard to their lives have engaged all the underground groups with peaceful means to shun violence. However at several times, the underground groups and their local leaders have broken the trust and carried large amount of weapons, ammunition and explosives to instigate more of inter factional clashes/ killings,” the IGAR (N) stated.
The administrative requirements of all underground groups such as medical care, basic amenities etc have been permitted, the IGAR (N) stated. “However, underground groups have repeatedly misused the permission and trust to carry weapons, ammunition and explosives. No underground group is permitted to carry gun and ammunition in open without prior permission of Ceasefire Monitoring Group / Cease Fire Supervisory Board. The underground groups resorting to false propaganda is not appreciated and the society can see the intent,” the IGAR stated.
The IGAR has assured that the Assam Rifles will ensure implementation of the ceasefire ground rules and peace for the society. “The elders of the society and the peace loving people are requested to use their good offices to discourage underground groups staying in populated areas and resorting to terror tactics in the streets. The underground groups’ view points are totally baseless and are an attempt to cover up their terror and anti-society actions of the recent past,” the IGAR (N) added.
