Kohima, October 19 (MExN): Security Forces on Monday refuted the NSCN (IM)’s statement on October 16, saying that the latter has “falsely accused Security Forces of brutality and high handedness towards Naga people.”
“The statement that action against NSCN (IM) is towards Naga people cannot be farther from the truth. Security forces have never apprehended any innocent civilians and have only acted against cadres of insurgent groups, indulging in activities in contravention of Ceasefire ground rules,” it said in a statement issued by PRO (Defence).
As regards the operations on October 9, the PRO Defence clarified that a joint operation was carried out with the Police, based on complaints from public regarding presence of armed military wing cadres of NSCN (IM) in Signal Angami Area of Dimapur, in violation of the Ceasefire ground rules.
“Therefore, it was in the interest of public safety to verify the inputs and the Security Forces completed the operation and obtained a No-Objection–Certificate,” the statement read.
In the incident of October 12 in Maram in Senapati District of Manipur, it said that the local battalion prevented a group of nine NSCN (IM) cadres who were carrying forceful illegal taxation from the transporters near Don Bosco School.
However, SS 2nd Lt Kennedy attempted to hit one of AR soldiers who was performing his duties under sovereign protection of AFSPA 1958 and jumped into the bushes, thereby preventing security forces from carrying out their bonafide military duties within statutory powers,” it claimed.
Despite the same, the troops exercised maximum restraint and prevented the situation from escalating by apprehending the individual and handing over to Senapati Police Station, it said. The local CSOs even gave an undertaking that the NSCN (IM) cadre was in a medically fit state and the cadre himself too promised the Security Forces that such illegal taxation would not be carried out in future, the statement read.
Further, on the October 14 incident at 17th Mile, Jairampur in Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh, military wing cadres of the NSCN (IM) were prevented from carrying out forceful illegal taxation, which was prevented by the Security Forces by conduct of their bonafide duty, it added.
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