Mail News Service
Imphal, June 25 : The Red Shield Division has strongly condemned the statement by the UNC published in leading newspapers on 25 June alleging that the operation conducted in area Shonglung was a fake encounter. PIB(DW) today said, “security forces of the Red Shield Division had been working on reliable intelligence reports from various quarters about the presence of 15-20 heavily armed NSCN (K) terrorists in the area of Kangchup Reserve Forest, Haochang and Nonei. These terrorists belong to the Mobile Group No 8 of NSCN (K) and have been supplied with sophisticated arms and ammunition from Myanmar. The group was operating in the areas astride the NH-37 and had chalked out a detailed plan to strike at Security Forces and government officials in the area of Tamei.
Based on these inputs, the Nonei Battalion of the Red Shield Division had busted a camp of the group in the area of Leimatek River and recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition on 18 June 2013. This was followed by a well planned and coordinated operation in the area of Shonglung. During the intense cordon and combing cum search operation in the dense jungles, a heavily armed UG group opened fire on the troops deployed in the cordon. After fierce exchange of fire for more than two hours and operation throughout the night, six dreaded terrorists of NSCN (K) were killed. Subsequently on 24 Jun 13, the battalion also located and dismantled another temporary hideout of this group in the area of Old Nonei and recovered a large quantity of ammunition, war like stores and rations. The remaining members of the Mobile NSCN (K) Group are still at large and intensive operations are in progress to neutralise these terrorists.
The allegation that the terrorists had been invited for a cup of tea with the Commanding Officer of Nonei Battalion is ridiculous and defies logic. The Security Forces are operating against the terrorist groups and do not indulge in fraternising with such elements. Moreover, the operation at Shonglung was launched on 21 Jun 13 and neither Col Ajay Sharma nor Major Gagan were present in Nonei on 22 Jun 13 as alleged by the UNC. Shonglung is approximately 10 hours of travelling time from Nonei. Therefore, the cadres could not possibly have travelled from Nonei to Shonglung on the same day after having tea with the Commanding Officer as alleged.
There are numerous other gaps and inconsistencies in the statement issued by UN which do not merit any comment. Such hysterical outcry by organizations who enjoy the patronage of terrorist groups is a common practice and the Security Forces will not be diverted by such ridiculous propaganda from their main focus of acting decisively against all elements inimical to the cause of peace in Manipur.”
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/red-shield-division-clarifies-on-nscn-k-killings/
