Dimapur, October 29 : The Assam Rifles have issued an official statement over the reported fire fight between it and underground cadres near Okotso village, in Wokha district, and a parallel incident of a church allegedly being occupied by the security force.
The Assam Rifles establishment issued a press release on Sunday appended by Public Relations Officer (Defence) Col. C Konwer.
‘Apropos articles published in certain newspapers alleging desecrating of a church by Assam Rifles troops. It is clarified that Assam Rifles troops had launched an operation on 22 October, 2016 night based on the intelligence reports about the movement of large number of armed UG cadres in general area Okotso,’ the statement began.
“As the search commenced in the morning of 23rd Oct, presence of large number of UG cadres in uniform with weapons was detected in the suspected camp three kms away from Okotso village. On being warned, the UG cadres opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces injuring one Assam Rifles soldier, who sustained a bullet hit on his bullet proof jacket.”
In the ensuing fire fight, one activist was “neutralized” while another was injured, the press release stated. The Assam Rifles reiterated that the injured was provided immediate first-aid and carried on stretcher by Assam Rifles troops over three kilometres to be given life-saving treatment by Assam Rifles Medical Officer of the 28th Assam Rifles.
“The battalion further evacuated the injured UG to Civil Hospital, Wokha where his condition stabilised and his life saved. The injured cadre later confirmed that they belonged to the NSCN (KN) faction,” the press release stated.
The army pointed out that the ceasefire ground rules themselves clearly prohibited the factions from carrying arms in areas outside their designated camps.
In this case, the Assam Rifles explained, the nearest designated camp of the NSCN (KN) was more than 50 kilometres away from Okotso.
“The recovery of cache from the operation included six weapons including two AK-47 rifles, one 12 Bore rifle, one point 303 rifle, one G3 rifle and one point 22 mm rifle with large quantity of ammunition,” it stated.
As for the charge of desecrating Mekokla’s church, the press release stated that the Assam Rifles “comprises of large number of Christian troops, some of whom were part of Okotso operations.”
Asserting that the “troops of Assam Rifles have immense respect for all religions and will never take any step or action to disrespect any religious place of worship,” it added that “disrespect to the church is a blatant lie being spread by some vested interest for some devious notions to cover the wrong doings of UG cadres.”
