11th Assam Rifles accused of trying to stage fake encounter
11th Assam Rifles accused of trying to stage fake encounter
The Ministry of Information and Publicity of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland (GPRN) has stated that the NSCN (K) has taken serious note of the incident on the evening of March 21, around 5 pm, at Aghunato town
DIMAPUR — The Ministry of Information and Publicity of the Government
of the People’s Republic of Nagaland (GPRN) has stated that the Khango-Hokato
Vusshe-led NSCN (K) has taken serious note of the incident on the evening of
March 21, around 5 pm, at Aghunato town, wherein the 11th Assam Rifles
(Zunheboto) intercepted a vehicle and apprehended three NSCN members “without
justification”.
In a press release, it was stated that this action reflects
the security forces’ belligerent attitude, aimed at disturbing the peaceful
atmosphere in the area.
It alleged that the apprehended NSCN members were forcibly
taken to the Tizu river when no illegal arms or incriminating documents were
found during the apprehension, andthey
were physically assaulted and threatened with dire consequences to extract
information about arms and ammunition.
Stating that the 11th Assam Rifles further resorted to
inducing a fear psychosis tactic by isolating one member, Kiyeto Kinny (Tuto
Kinny), intimidating and coercing him to falsely claim that the other two NSCN
members had forcibly recruited him, it mentioned that he was threatened with
execution upon release from jail.
“Mr. Kinny courageously refused to comply with this
nefarious plot,” it read, adding that after failing to indict the members, they
were taken back to Aghunato town and halted at Litsu Junction. Security forces,
armed with loaded rifles, ordered them to “pronounce their last words” and
“make a run for their lives”, indicating a clear intention to stage a fake
encounter that was only averted due to the timely intervention of the NSCN
Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB/NSCN).
It was mentioned that the 11th Assam Rifles conducted three
intensive searches of the vehicle at the interception site and an additional
search at the Aghunato Town Police Outpost, finding no illegal materials.
However, it was alleged that on March 22, at 10 am, the 11th Assam Rifles, on
the pretext of conducting another re-check of the vehicle, planted a
photocopied taxation slip in the vehicle using sleight of hand to falsely
implicate the members.
The NSCN (K) strongly condemned the “repeated violations of
Ceasefire Ground Rules by security forces” and said that It is highly
questionable how violations of the Ceasefire Ground Rules by the security
forces are always covered up and the erring officers and personnel go
unpunished, reminding of “Oting incident”, noting that justice was denied in
that.
“Impunity granted to personnel involved in unwarranted
intrusions, privacy breaches, and human rights abuses under the guise of
maintaining law and order. The security forces in Nagaland are mostly
concentrated in populated areas, and their unwarranted actions, intrusion of
privacy and Human Rights violation under the pretext of law and order
situations should be checked by the Nagas. Everyone is equal before the law of
the land!” it said.
Further, it claimed that provocative actions by the Assam
Rifles ahead of the upcoming review of the NSCN-Government of India ceasefire
extension are jeopardising Nagaland’s fragile peace. It added that the Assam
Rifles should not derail the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in Nagaland by
stirring up unwanted situations.
It concluded by saying that the Assam Rifles must uphold its
motto of "Friends of the Hill People" rather than acting as "Foes
of the Hill People”.
