DIMAPUR, MAY 4 (MExN): Following yesterday’s factional standoff at Nikhekhu village, the IGAR (N) today made known its intention to continue intervening in such situations. Outlining the role of the Assam Rifles in yesterday’s incident, the release declared, “AR troops will continue to intervene in order to prevent any factional clash within the state as such lawlessness needs to be disciplined with fundamental priority”.
Ever since the declaration of ceasefire between the GOI and the Naga Army in 1997, the AR has maintained a low profile though there have been several allegations of the violation of Cease fire ground rules by the Assam Rifles.
It may be added that the NSCN (IM) had also alleged that the NSCN (K) had been aided by the AR during yesterday’s firing at Nikhekhu village. The ceasefire status has not reduced the number of clashes in the state, especially amongst the factions, who maintain that their ceasefire is with the GOI and not the rival groups.
Talks between the Ceasefire monitoring groups have also zeroed in on the point of factional clashes which have raised serious questions on the policy of the GOI.
On being contacted, Lt. Col. Nirupam Bhargava, PRO of the Ministry of Defence, Kohima, denied that the AR would play any ‘additional role’ in the present situation of the state. He said that the Assam Rifles would continue to maintain the principles of the Ceasefire Ground rules in letter and in the spirit.
Explaining that the state administration make decisions during factional clashes by using its resources like the state police, the PRO maintained that it was only if they were unable to contain the situation with their own resources that a requisition for assistance would be communicated to the AR. Adding that the AR would not be able to do anything without the administration’s request, the Lt. Col. assured that there would be no violation of the ground rules by the AR.
Meanwhile regarding the factional clash at Nikhekhu, the PRO in a separate press note was pointed out that on being contacted HQ IGAR(N) immediately mobilized two columns from 31 AR personally led by the Commanding Officer and rushed to the site with an aim to directly intervene and restore normalcy within Nikhekhu village. A joint operation led by Assam Rifles columns and IRB forced managed to ease off the building tension between the factional groups by making them leave the village premises, the press note claimed. Additional stepped up vigil by AR troops ensured that factions could not come in contact for a face off thereby creating an atmosphere for the villagers to return to their houses, the note further went on.
Sources in Assam Rifles reveal that IGAR(N) has issued directions to units for extending all out support to all civil agencies involved in helping Nikhekhu village to return to normalcy and maintain a high state of alertness to prevent any further deterioration of the situation. AR troops will continue to intervene in order to prevent any factional clash within the state as such lawlessness needs to be disciplined with fundamental priority, it was informed.
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