EMN
Dimapur, August 12
Perturbed by recent media reports blaming the Assam Rifles for killing innocent civilians near Purr on July 16, PRO IGAR (N) Kohima in a statement asserted that ten half truths do not make even one single truth and truth is hard commodity to digest.
The statement said, the colour given to the whole affair since abrogation of ceasefire by NSCN(K) group, is as if the onus is on SF having deteriorated the situation.
“Operations against NSCN(K) and its sinister umbrella organisations will continue with utmost intensity. The day they opt for peace, operations will cease and remain within the ambit of Ceasefire Ground Rules as hither-to-fore. There is faith in the collective wisdom of Naga society, its intelligentsia and its people. Nagas understand the truth and will not allow any group to disrupt the peace and tranquillity in Nagaland, “ the statement asserted.
‘As professional soldiers, the most painful is the trend of blaming the SF for 16 July incident at Purr village. But it would be interesting to go through the facts first and then conclude who is raising the issue and for whom?’
The statement pointed out that the Commander of “Mobile V” of NSCN(K) group, SS Brig Kurechu hails from the village Purr, where the incident took place.
‘His UG camp of 24 huts, not far from his village was busted by SF in first week of April which approximately 100-150 NSCN(K) cadres were residing and was the nerve centre of all extortion and intimidation of the public.’
“SS Brig Kurechu’s brother Nyupuchu of village Purr is the President of the Federation of Gaon Buras of Pochuri Region and this is a very convenient aspect in application of frenzied support so contrivingly obtained.”
“Why would a body of 60 soldiers after a very difficult operation, fire at innocent civilians? Were they afraid, were they trigger happy or were they defending themselves? The initial Inquiry of State also found out that “Village Gaon Bura” had accepted that he had got a call from Meluri to stop the convoy of SF vehicles. Why would he obey that call? Who gave that message? Was it an intimate sympathiser of SS Brig Kurechu? What was the motive of passing this order? The statement of NSCN(K) PRO in Nagaland Post Edition of 22 Jul 2015 is also very illuminating. To quote “NSCN(K) cadres had already left the area by then, when the incident occurred”. How precisely timed and convenient. Please note they were there and adequate intelligence inputs exist on that fact.”
The statement said, “How does one explain, bullets fired on last two vehicles, the injured soldiers, (presented to and interviewed by the media for verification). The entry and exit wound of the bullet of the soldier suggests fire came from a higher ground and the individual was manning the Light Machine Gun on top of the last vehicle. The bullet meant for Company Commander came from front and top, the bullet hole suggests that and its shrapnel having wounded the officer. How does one explain bullets on the weapon of soldier in the second vehicle? The troops fired back only when they were fired upon.”
“Yes the ambush by NSCN(K) cadres on SF did not go as planned. The vehicles were to be stopped first, body of SS Capt Puhachu retrieved and when convoy was leaving then ambushed outside the village. First three vehicles did not stop and weaved through the people. Company Commander stopped in his second last vehicle to listen to the people a few seconds later. As he was about to speak, the UGs fearing that the vehicles had left without stopping, opened up fire without any remorse for the civilians at site. As per the statement of Shri C Pitu Thur, Chairman of Wuzu Village Council, published in Morung Express of 22 Jul, the fire came from leading vehicles, and this is a fact reiterated by the SF also for the leading vehicles did retaliate when they were fired upon. Two innocent children died in their house, below the road. Who was firing from the higher ground? Not the soldiers! And then to cover up rumours are sprung that troops ‘fired amongst themselves’. ‘They were firing blindly’. If they were, how come only two children in the village below sadly died and not anyone of 100 odd people, the Gaon Bura had instructed to be on the road to stop the SF vehicles.”
“Locals willingly or unwillingly probably out of fear colluded with UGs to allow an opportunity ambush be sprung and now the Gaon Bura and others are at loss to explain the sad demise of the innocent children to their own people. How convenient but to blame the SF.”
The statement said, “How come Assam Rifles troops have not retaliated in Kohima when they were targeted in midst of civilians? Because of their training and explicit orders as not to cause collateral damage. When asked those solders why they did not fire back only had one answer ; “there were many civilians Sir”. How come Assam Rifles have suddenly been demonised when they were not after having lost 12 soldiers (four of them unarmed) due to NSCN(K) attacks?”
“Assam Rifles is also accused on not understanding the Naga tradition of handling the body of slain terrorists. When three unarmed soldiers of Assam Rifles were bound and shot point blank in Chaklangsho on 03 May, (one of them was a local Naga soldier), was it the traditional practise of NSCN(K) cadres and an acceptable Naga tradition? The same Company Commander who is loved by people in initial press releases and within two days is being accused of everything. Who is manipulating the evidence or contriving to make up one? Who passed the message and with what sinister design that bodies of slain terrorists were being carried in Assam Rifles convoy? In future should the security forces leave the dead bodies in jungles at the site of encounter, fearing reoccurrence of such incidents? It’s a professional call to honour the dead and security forces will do so in future too, but after full legal formalities and not at the whims of a mob.”
“It would be in order to mention about NSCN(K) faction, which claims to serve the Naga society and Nagaland and also many of its associates who support it overtly and covertly. The organisation which is not trusting Indian Naga cadres to carry weapons? The organisation which is forcefully kidnapping children from border areas to serve as child soldiers. The organisation which passes orders to kidnap serving Naga soldiers on leave. The organisation which wants to plant Improvised Explosive Devices and carryout attacks in whole North East Region so innocent could die. The organisation which now so conveniently realigned with other inimical groups, forgetting the historical Naga State issues. The organisation demanding Rs 10 Crores from Airtel ensuring no one else will ever come to Nagaland for its economic upliftment. The organisation which executed its local Sema cadre in Ponyu (Myanmar) for he wanted to go home?”
“In this complex milieu, which is the only force which has been performing with results? Assam Rifles destroyed liquor worth Rs 6 Crores in last year-why? For Nagaland supports prohibition! If they captured 355 weapons of various brands (165 from UGs) for they are committed in taking away the weapons of violence from the society. If they neutralised five and have apprehended 45 NSCN(K) cadres of various hues, it’s because NSCN(K) abrogated ceasefire and violent elements have to be weaned away for the good of society.”
