Dimapur, Feb. 23 (EMN): The Assam Rifles have denied charges of violating human rights and ceasefire ground rules as alleged by NSCN (R) which was published in some section of the local dailies. It clarified that there was no humiliation or harassment as alleged.
In a rejoinder, Assam Rifles claimed that it conducts all operations upholding human rights and in an unbiased manner as per mandated ceasefire ground rules. It stated that the aspersions cast against Assam Rifles of violating ceasefire ground rules, humiliation, harassment and trying to sabotage the peace process were false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to malign the image of Assam Rifles.
Narrating the incident, it stated that Assam Rifles of Mon battalion received information on February 22 around 4:45 pm of some armed persons moving around the post office area in a suspicious manner following which an operation was launch to ensure safety and security in the area.
It added that the column found three individuals with assault weapons, who failed to reply or prove their identities satisfactorily when asked for their antecedents. However, on further questioning it came to light that they were PSOs to the president of NSCN (R).
Assam Rifles further stated that the individuals were release within 15 minutes after completing the formalities in upholding the spirit of ceasefire and peace process despite they have violated the ceasefire ground rules by moving without identity cards and displaying unauthorised assault weapons in public place. There was no humiliation or harassment as alleged, the release added.
