DIMAPUR, APRIL 2 (MExN): Family members of the 9 Indian Reserve Battalion personnel stationed at Chhattisgarh today sought the response to their memorandum earlier submitted to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio demanding withdrawal of the force. Their main contention is that the IRB cadres were imparted only basic training and were not instructed on how to handle landmines.
Speaking to The Morung Express, representatives of the parents, brothers, sisters and wives of the out-station personnel counter-replied to a counter-reply.
Top officials in the Nagaland Police had earlier denied having threatened or using abusive language against wives of the IRB jawans who were either killed or maimed in a landmine blast at Chhattisgarh.
The family members said action was drawn against those jawans whose wives raised a slogan against their deployment in Chhattisgarh. Further, they said the jawans were engaged in operations for much longer periods of time.
A rotation system where other Central troops can replace the fatigued 9 IRB personnel is what they want. They said they discussed among themselves on why only Nagaland’s soldiers were being entrusted with the operations when several other forces are available.
National Security Guards who were recently deployed in the Naxalite-present state are carrying out their duties only at Raipur, the capital, they said.
Further, they said the number of the force has now dwindled to 600 after deaths, injuries and discharges.
“Some people say it is God’s work that the cadres are deployed in Chhattisgarh to help spread Christianity. But men in uniform cannot spread Christianity,” a representative said. The family members have sought the prayers of the Church’s believers in safely bringing back the cadres.
