Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 25 2009:
Inspector General of Assam Rifles, Major General A K Choudhury today made it clear that there is no "designated camps" of NSCN-IM in Manipur.
General Choudhury conveyed this in an interaction with media persons at AR headquarters (South) at Mantripukhuri near Imphal today reacting to a question relating to the recent vacation of NSCN-IM camps from Shiroy village and subsequent reports of having "designated camps" of the outfit in the state.
"I repeat there's no designated camp in Manipur" he reiterated.
He is however unable to give any comment on the report of presence of some camps of the rebel group in Manipur.
"I'm unable to comment on this issue" he added.
Even though IM cadres try to open it camps in Ukhrul, AR troops vacated it as soon as it becomes to notice he said adding "but we cannot stop them when they(IM cadres) visited their homes in Manipur without any arms.
There is liberty to come home", he said.
If they break any rule, we'll take action, the officer assured.
He also said that his troops will not allow carrying out any unlawful activities by those Kuki Militants organisations maintaining.
Suspension of Operation with the state and central security forces in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls in the state responding to another question raised during the interaction programme.
Manipur will go to two phase polls on April 16 and 22 respectively for which some candidates of the outer Manipur parliamentary constituency which comprises of five hills districts and eight other assembly constituencies in the Valley have already started to take nomination papers.
A total of 18 kuki militants organizations operating in the state have been maintaining Suspension of Operation (SoO) with Central security forces since last three years.
However, the same was recognized by the state government after trilateral agreements were signed separately with KNO and UPF, apex bodies of various Kuki militants in August last year.
Having apprehension of the inference by the militants organizations in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, many political workers have been urging the ruling front to create a conducive atmosphere for a free and fair election.
"We will take corrective measures and take action against those who are in SoO" Major General Choudhury said, "Unlawful activities wouldn't be permitted".
As per ground rules of the SoO, we'll take action against those violators, the general assured.