Dimapur, April 17 NNN: In a rebuttal to the NSCN-IM’s various statements, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) based in Nagaland’s capital Kohima said today that the Cease Fire Ground Rules do not permit keeping of arms, ammunition, explosives and grenades in the residence of NSCN faction members houses.
The PRO of IGAR (North), Kohima said, “Only card holders authorized specifically by the Cease Fire Monitoring Board (CFMB) are permitted to keep weapons for their protection. The captured weapons were being used to enforce extortion by the group. The article published by NSCN (IM) on April 10 for the operation carried out on April 8 is certainly an afterthought and a propaganda campaign launched by vested interests against the successful operations carried out by Assam Rifles in ensuring implementation of the Cease Fire Ground Rules.
The Assam Rifles stands by its commitment as ‘ Friends of the Hill People’ to ensure weapon and extortion free society and a peaceful environment in Nagaland.”
A serious allegation was made against joint operation conducted by 6 Assam Rifles and 164 Inf Bn TA (NAGA) at Tizit on April 8 and published in a newspaper on April 10, according to the PRO of IGAR (North).
It then stated that the operations were launched on receipt of specific intelligence about the concealment of huge quantity of warlike stores in the house of Mr Manpoh Konyak, Tatar, NSCN (IM).
“Despite denial by the occupants of the house of any warlike stores, careful search of the house in presence of two police personnel (accompanying the troops) resulted in recovery of one point 22 pistol (country made) with magazine, one pt 32 Pistol (Made in USA) with magazine, one pt 303 Rifle, one 12 bore single barrel rifle, one G-3 Rifle (UNSV), three pt 303 magazines, 117 assorted rounds of ammunitions, 3 feet of safety fuse, three pairs of combat uniforms, one grenade, 22 detonators and 15 gelatine sticks,” claimed the Assam Rifles.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/carrying-arms-extortion-not-part-of-ground-rule-ar-to-nscn/
