EMN
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 6
The NSCN (K) on Sunday stated the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Assam Rifles, stationed in the area, must either be too stupid or plain ignorant “of the publicly verified and established facts of his troops’ inhuman excesses in the aftermath of every encounter with NSCN’s People’s Army of Nagaland (Naga Army).”
To share its version, perhaps for the first time, of the series of incidents that have taken place between the NSCN (K) and the Assam Rifles since the abrogation of ceasefire agreement, the NSCN (K) on Sunday issued a press statement.
According to the NSCN (K), the narration behind alleged firing incident at Chukitong in Wokha district on September 2 last was doctored by the Assam Rifles press officer. “The 2nd September Chukitong firing also exposed the agitated and trigger happy AR cowards who resorted to heavy indiscriminate firing on two local hunters shooting at the wild animals and birds.
“Not a single Naga Army was in the vicinity yet to cover up their disgrace, the PRO, AR shamelessly indicts the NSCN. The public of Chukitong area must clarify on the incident and vilify the AR’s claim lest they be misunderstood as collaborators.”
It stated that since the abrogation of ceasefire till date, not a single innocent Naga civilian or “foreign residents in Naga country including Indians” has been targeted or injured by Naga Army during the entire series of armed clashes.
“On the contrary, Indian Army taking advantage of AFSPA, has been running amok spreading terror and cycle of violence all over Naga country stretching from Kohima and Chandel till to the international border. In coward frustrated reaction to Kohima encounter, the AR savages resorted to shameless bashing of five innocent Naga students, the helpless victims were gun butted, barrel jabbed and kicked and tossed around like playing objects.
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Critically injured and hospitalized, the traumas will haunt these innocent Naga students for long time to come.”
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Even in the aftermath of the June 4 incident at Chandel in Manipur, the NSCN (K) said that “the occupational Indian Army” had militarized the entire Chandel district, martial law was imposed, Naga folks were segregated into male and female population, and innocent family members of NSCN workers were arrested, tortured and hounded like wild animals.” All these atrocities were inflicted in isolation from the rest of the world by imposition of press and media censor in the area, it added.
“Similarly, after June 16 Wuzu-Avangkhu incident, the AR retreating party without provocation unleashed their fury upon innocent civilian procession awaiting to receive the death body of the slain NSCN Captain who is a citizen of that area. In that particular violence, two innocent students were murdered and another woman and child were critically injured.
“The public testimony prevailed upon AR claim of NSCN presence among civilians for which the leaders of this particular area are still being hunted day and night by AR killers to silence the truth. On August 28 2015, a medical camp was organized at Pangsha village and AR issued clearance for the NSCN members to avail medical facility without uniform and weapon, simultaneously, NMA delegation were arriving and families of NSCN workers were also travelling in advance to host the NMA meet.”
It stated that while the motorcycle and Gypsy had two innocent Konyak passengers from Yangkao village besides “unarmed and un-uniformed NSCN members travelling ahead,” the Tata mobile pick-up truck had been trailing behind at a safe distance fully loaded with innocent civilians, women and a nurse from Pou nyiu village returning after assisting Pangsha medical camp.
“Does PRO (of) AR mean to implicate these innocent women and nurse as NSCN women cadres of Pou nyiu camp? Are you not ashamed that your troops shot at innocent women with snipers and grenade launchers?
“Are you not aware that one innocent Konyak passenger who escaped from Gypsy and was running uphill screaming with outstretched hand was shot at the hip with sniper and while lying writhing in pain yet alive was blown up with grenade? Do you think there is honor in shooting at point blank an uninjured survivor despite pleading for mercy? How dare do you still attempt to justify your murderous actions after pre-mediated massacre of innocent Naga men and women. Are you not born of a human being that your depraved mind still wishes to cling to your rights?
It also reminded that the Assam Rifles troops had resorted to heavy firing on a log that fell on the road while transporting death bodies back to Noklak. “…or do you still blame the Naga Army for attacking you with that log?
“The atrocities committed on the Nagas by occupational Indian Army is nothing new, beginning from first Naga-Indo battle in 1955 at Hukir and Hoshepu village hitherto, the Nagas have endured arsons of villages, destructions of livestock, granaries etc, mass killings, mass groupings in concentration camps, tortures, deaths by starvations, injuries, sickness etc etc.
“However, no amount of unlawful coercion under AFSPA and other illegal martial laws have been successful to blot out Naga struggle for sovereignty and self-determination. With every inhuman experiments meted out to the Nagas, the spirit of freedom and liberty burns brighter and our national anthem shall be sang with more vigor as we continue to march for freedom.”
