Ukhrul, May 17 2010: In view of the alleged unauthenticated news published in some section of the media on May 15, reporting that Assam Rifles personnel had confiscated about 15,000 flags of the NSCN (IM) from the office of a civil society organisation, the media in charge of the Reception Committee here has strongly refuted the report terming it as unfounded and baseless.

Addressing media persons at its office today, the media-in-charge, Eno Tennoson Pheiray stated that the wrong publication of the news has compelled them to make the clarification.

Giving an account of the incident, Tennoson said that it was not only 15000 but 30000 flags which were seized by the AR from volunteers of the reception committee who were distributing the flags.

However, AR in a goodwill gesture returned it to the Reception Committee in view of the timely intervention of other civil society leaders who pointed out that NSCN is not a banned organization and as such the distribution of the flags is not an illegal act.

Pheiray pointed out that the same flags have been used in New Delhi and the Government of India had no problems with its display in the National capital so why here.

AR officer did however request that the distribution of the flags be temporarily suspended.

Refuting the reports as appeared in some National newspapers that NSCN (IM) cadres were involved in the incident and that the flags were returned after leaders of the armed group intervened, the media-in-charge said that the flags were distributed solely with the initiative of the Reception Committee exercising its right to welcome Th Muivah.