Dimapur, October 17 (MExN): The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN/GPRN) has clarified that the action taken upon Ahoshe in the form of physical torture “was not done under any motivated intention but under mistaken identity after Ahoshe himself wrongly identified himself as member of ‘unification’ group that does not exist under the ongoing scheme of reconciliation process”. This was stated in a press note issued by the MIP wherein the NSCN/GPRN pointed out that there was no group by such name as ‘unification group’ under the ambit of the covenant of reconciliation.
The NSCN/GPRN however also expressed “great regret” that the physical torture meted out to Ahoshe had “gone a little too far”. “The NSCN expresses deep regret over the incident and necessary steps are being initiated by the Naga Army authorities to keep such thing from happening again”, the MIP note stated. In this regard, the NSCN/GPRN expressed concern over the fact that there existed many groups in Dimapur collecting and extorting tax in the name of Dimasa, Meiteis, Kukis etc. According to the MIP note, this had alarmed the Naga Army and prompted it to be more vigilant. “But the enthusiasm sometimes comes with certain errors under certain circumstances. NSCN as a responsible people’s organization will not shy away from taking correctional steps to keep the hard earned spirit of reconciliation process intact. And we stand firm not to destroy that momentum”, the MIP note affirmed.
Pointing out that notwithstanding the significant development in the search for reconciliation and unity to bring lasting peace among the Nagas, and which has culminated in the ‘September 18 Summit’ where the NSCN, GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN (Singnya) attended the meeting, the MIP note stated that the issue of maintaining law and order and to counter any anti-social elements remains the subject of “common understanding among the signatories of the Covenant of Reconciliation”.
In this regard the NSCN/GPRN also maintained that any “elements not coming under the three groups shall be treated by different yardstick and confronted in the manner the situation demanded”. Accordingly, the Naga Army was activated to keep vigilance over such anti-social elements in and around Dimapur, the MIP note stated.
On the 14th of October it was stated that the “alert Naga Army confronted one Ahoshe when he was found collecting tax illegally as reported by the public and business group in the Chumukedima area”. The MIP note stated that the “tax collection was not annual or monthly but done in haphazard manner as per his whims”. “But a time comes when it was found that he has gone too far to forbear with and the public reported the matter to the Naga Army”, the MIP note stated.
However Ahoshe resisted when approached by Naga Army and identified himself as Khapur belonging to Unification group, the MIP note further stated while pointing out that “there is no group by such name that comes under the ambit of covenant of reconciliation”.
“The Naga Army thus acted consciously and went physical to teach Ahoshe the lesson to make him realize the folly of indulging in such activities that goes against the people’s interest”, the MIP note stated. According to the NSCN/GPRN, it was during the interrogation and torture that Ahoshe confessed his identity as a member of “NSCN-K (GPRN/NSCN) and after which he was set free”.
