AR, NSCN-IM likely in for a fresh round of verbal duel
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 19
The Assam Rifles and the NSCN-IM is likely in for another round of verbal duel following an incident in Dimapur on Saturday. The house of the NSCN-IM’s serving UT 1 Central Administrative Officer (CAO) was raided by the Assam Rifles on the night of November 18 during which the CAO alongwith two others were apprehended. Firearms and allegedly some drugs were also confiscated from the house by the AR.
The CAO alongwith the two other individuals, the firearms and drugs were subsequently handed over to the police. A police complaint (FIR) was also lodged by the 32 AR, which conducted the raid at Signal Basti, official sources said. According to the sources, the raid started around 8:00 pm and lasted around 2 hours.
The sources said that the 32 AR in the FIR stated the raid was launched based on specific inputs about the presence of an armed NSCN-IM cadre in a civilian area. One AK 56 with magazine, one .22 rifle with magazine, 16 rounds of AK 56 ammunition and 76 rounds of .22 ammunitions were confiscated from the house. The list of confiscated items, as entered in the FIR, included some pharmaceutical drugs, 14 Fake Indian Currency Notes, a notarised stamp paper and a .22 gun licence, the sources said.
The FIR further alleged that the apprehended individuals were involved in drug peddling, it was added.
The NSCN-IM when contacted this evening confirmed the incident occurred but denied any wrongdoing on the part of the UT 1 CAO. “As far as the Cease Fire Ground Rules (CFGRs) is concerned, we have not committed any crime or violated the rules,” NSCN-IM’s CFMC convenor, Kraibo Chawang told The Morung Express.
While terming the CAO as a responsible person, Chawang said the raid was unjustified. Queried on the presence of drugs in the house, he replied that the drugs were impounded by the NSCN-IM and not for trafficking. He said that the drugs were to be deposited at the Council Headquarters for destruction.
As far as the assault rifle was concerned, he justified that the CAO as a “card holder” was permitted to possess under the agreed ground rules.
It was further alleged that the AR confiscated the Identity Cards of the CAO and the CMFC secretary. Chawang said that the latter was sent to the house to inquire after information of the raid was received. The secretary was not among the persons arrested.
“The IDs were issued as per the agreed ground rules but they refused to accept (its authenticity), Chawang said, while adding that the cards were not returned.
The Assam Rifles meanwhile acknowledged the raid took place. “There was apprehension of things which should not have been there,” said an AR official. The official added that complete details of the raid/operation were still to be obtained.
