Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 27:
The NSCN/GPRN has out rightly condemned the attack on its cadres by the 21 Assam Rifles (AR), killing of an innocent civilian and abduction of another innocent civilian in the Khurmi Region of Chandel District.
In a statement Maj (Retd) Johny Dilbung, Kilonser (Minister) Information & Publicity, said that its cadres on being informed of anti-social elements' activities to vitiate the atmosphere in the Khurmi Region, had deputed some of its personnel to check and contain such activities.
He added that to attend to their duty the Naga Army were passing by Leingang-ching village and saw the 21 AR men approaching their route from a distance.
With the best of intention and in good gesture to avoid accidental confrontation the Naga Army went to Leingangching village and sent information to them (21 AR) through an ex-Indian Army with the message of their presence there to which it was acknowledged by their commander, a Major.
However to their utter surprise, without any provocation, the AR attacked the Naga Army after around twenty minutes of the message, and also killed an innocent civilian, Premson Lamkang s/o (L) Bungthot and abducted SK Thamthung Lamkang, an innocent ex-Armyman, a Naga civilian who was sent by the NSCN to relay the message to the Assam Rifles.
The statement said that such an act was in gross violation of the cease-fire ground rules which is a sign of disrespect to the peace initiatives being taken up by the Government of India.
With cease-fire set to expire on July 31 and bilateral talks between the two sides scheduled to take place on July 28 and 29 where the extension or break-down of the cease-fire is to take place, such indication presents the insincerity of the GoI to solve the protracted conflict, he lamented.
The GoI should declare its approach responsibly rather than undertaking a double standard policy to the Indo-Naga issue.
The statement also appeal to the United Nations Human Rights Group, International Human Rights Organisations, Civil Societies and all right thinking people to condemn such insincere acts during the period of peace talks between the two entities.