Morung Express News
August 8
DIMAPUR: The NSCN (IM) today expressed regret over what it termed as ‘unfortunate incident’ that took place at Lengha, Mon district on March 18, 2005 when Late H. Panglem and Chahtai were killed. “Lt. Messrs. H. Panglem and Chahtai were innocently victimized out of mistaken identities, which NSCN deeply regretted”, stated a press communiqué issued by the GPRN MIP Secretariat.
“The incident occurred during a period when anti-Naga elements were vigorously spreading false campaigns and propagandas, inciting divisively motivated propagandas to defame and fracture the cohesive relationship and bond between the GPRN and the public. Regrettably, due to human error, the Naga army cadres in the course of interrogation of the victims established their involvement in the anti-Naga campaigns which was professed through their responses and dispositions, thus leading to this undesirable incident”, the one page clarification note from the MIP stated.
The statement also informed that the GPRN had constituted an enquiry commission to probe into the case to unearth the truth. It stated that following the probe, necessary action had been taken on the errant cadres. An ex-gratia to the victims had already been sanctioned and released with regretted sympathies and condolences message to the bereaved, it was stated.
It also appealed to the general public that the NSCN had no enmity; inclination or hatred towards any particular tribe or tribes but stood firmly for the welfare of all Nagas. “Certain individuals, cadres, officials at times owing to their errant deeds bring undesirable incidents, which is against the principles of the GPRN and the Naga people at large. But we should all coordinately check these anti-Naga activities and reform our society by taking realistic approaches through the proper channel”, it was stated.
The NSCN stated that it had kept its door ‘wide open’ to everyone desiring for constructive, practical, peaceful, reformative suggestions, opinions, grievances and rectifications for the betterment of the Nagas’ future.
“Terming the NSCN as a terrorist organization by students union doesn’t seem appropriate. It is we Nagas ourselves humiliating and demoralizing ourselves, demeaning our political status from a ‘political issue to a mere domestic issue’. Hence, it is suggested that students refrain themselves from commenting such self-destructive language in future, which is not fruitful for our younger generation”, it stated.
The statement also condemned the killings of Lt. Sami and a cadre in Lumding on August 7 by the CRPF and Assam police. It stated that the NSCN had been strictly observing the ceasefire ground rules in letter and spirit. “Killing of NSCN cadres without rhyme and reason is total violation of ceasefire ground rules by armed forces, which NSCN demand the CRPF and Assam Police to produce authentic reason to substantiate the killing”, the communiqué stated. It cautioned that if such violation was not stopped immediately, the NSCN would not tolerate but respond in a befitting manner.
