IM cadre is extortionist: AR
Normal life paralysed in Tamenglong
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 14 2011:
Amidst the the people's demand for release of the NSCN (IM)'s finance in-charge, AR authority has said that the nabbing of the rebel leader is a major achievement of the 11 AR.
A statement of the PIB (Defence Wing) Imphal said that the finance in charge of NSCN (IM) for Zeliangrong region, George Gonmei son of Abuan of Thuijang village, Imphal was apprehended during a drive of the 11 AR against extortion activities of UG groups.
He was nabbed when troops launched an operation based on an input yesterday.
A sum of ' 19,000 was recovered from him.
It is a known fact that George Gonmei, in the past, has resorted to extortion, not even sparing government organisations like the BRO.
The harassment of the BRO led to the disruption of road development in remote areas, the statement said.
The statement giving details of last night's incident in which a mob of 400 people gathered outside the gate of 11 AR Bn HQs who were demanding the immediate release of the cadre said that the CO and the medical officer went to meet the locals to pacify them.
In the ensuing melee, the agitated crowd snatched one AK 47 rifle and one radio set from the 11 AR troops and thereafter resorted to stone pelting injuring nine soldiers.
The officers and troops of 11 AR demonstrated exceptional restraint otherwise the situation could have worsened, it added.
Over a period of time, 11 AR has been doing a lot of good work to bring about and maintain peace and harmony in the area and have also carried out large number of Military Civic Action Projects for upliftment and people's welfare of Tamenglong region.
Such unwarranted and illegal actions by the locals only work as a dampener for the troops in their humanitarian activities, the statement observed.
The Army appeals to the people not to be instigated by anti social elements and interfere in lawful activities of the Security Forces, it added.
Our Tamenglong Correspondent adds: Even as the women protestors has returned the snatched AK-47 rifle of the AR this morning to the 11 Assam Rifles, the nabbed NSCN (IM) cadre is still in AR custody.
He is likely to be released tomorrow morning.
The rifle was returned by the protestors after colonel PS Chhonkar SM, Commandant 11 AR assured of releasing the NSCN (IM) cadre to the women.
The AK rifle along with the radio set were returned through representatives of District Magistrate, SDO Tamenglong C Arthur W, IAS, SDO Tousem- Dinganglung, Tamenglong Police station OC Masongam and frontal organizational leaders today.
The same representatives had another meeting with the 11 AR authority till late evening and pleaded for the unconditional release of IM cadre.
To protest against the arrest and to demand the unconditional release of George Gonmei, Joint Secretary of NSCN/GPRN, Finance incharge of Zeliangrong Region, all shops, markets and institutions/ schools and government establishments were partially closed in Tamenglong district today.
All interstate and sub-division vehicles were not seen on the roads.
The protestors said that there is a ceasefire agreement between GoI and Naga army and any arrest during the ceasefire is illegal.
Collection of 'taxes' by the NSCN-IM is not done through force but the people have been willingly paying it, said P Riamei, of Tamenglong Ward No.III .
Dingsung Pamei, Vice President ZU (AMN) questioned the right to arrest person in the absence of the police or without an arrest warrant.
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