Dimapur, August 13 (MExN): The NSCN (R) today informed that all the cadres involved in the alleged assault of a person in Zunheboto on August 12 have been terminated from active national service.
“In accordance with the ‘Naga Army acts and rules’, all the cadres of the NSCN (R) involved in the above case are terminated from active national service immediately” on August 13, stated a press release from the MIP, NSCN (R).
Following the August 2 incident and the subsequent public outcry, the NSCN (R) had set up a five-member inquiry committee on August 3 and had assured to “conduct a free, fair and impartial probe without any prejudices.”
Meanwhile, the NSCN (R) release on August 13 implied that the committee had submitted its report to the ‘collective leaders’ and the termination of service was implemented thereafter.
According to the committee’s findings, the root cause of the incident dates back to July 31, when some NSCN (R) cadres, acting on prior information about the transportation of banned alcohol, went to Zungti village and intercepted an “incoming alcohol-laden van” from Kohima.
However, it was allegedly allowed to proceed on the request of Lieutenant Colonel Akum Sangtam, the commander of Zunheboto town command of GPRN/NSCN.
Thereafter, on August 2, while the NSCN (R) cadres were shopping in the local market, the commander “came along with 10 to 15 boys and started misbehaving,” the release said.
The victim, Dick, who is also a co-brother of Lt Col Akum, was one among them, it alleged. The NSCN (R) also claimed that although the victim is a butcher by profession, he is also actively involved in “selling and disposing of illegal liquor in Zunheboto town.”
Taking advantage of the presence of his co-brother, the victim assaulted the NSCN (R) cadres, and one of them was “severely injured and fractured his lower jaw,” it added.
Subsequently, the cadres zeroed in on Dick as the person who orchestrated the entire episode, and in the evening he was “picked up and was unfortunately assaulted,” it added.
Nevertheless, the NSCN (R) asserted that it “never ever gave any such sanction to the cadres in any given situation to harm any person or individual in any manner” and termed the assault on a person in solitary as “inhuman and barbaric.” Condemning the act, the NSCN (R) thus terminated the services of the cadre.
It further expressed pain and stated that it sincerely feels sorry to “Dick and his family for causing mental and physical trauma.”
While no amount of financial support would compensate for the pain the family is going through, as a “Naga brother and as people of the same bloodline, we have decided to bear all possible medical costs for his treatment as far as possible,” the NSCN (R) informed. It further wished a speedy recovery for the victim.
