DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN today condemned what it termed as the “rowdy act” of the Assam Rifles against 24 “unarmed civil clothed” members of the GPRN who were at an annual picnic at Zutovi village.
A press release from the MIP of the GPRN/NSCN alleged that on March 15, 50 to 60 personnel of the Assam Rifles in around 10 vehicles from different companies/units “surrounded 24 unarmed civil clothed members of GPRN who were on an annual picnic at Zutovi village, Dimapur in the early hours of the day and intended to arrest them and hand over to the police citing congregation of GPRN members in such number is prohibited.”
“Besides showing up and creating hype and commotion, the said Assam Rifles personnel went to the extent of ignoring GPRN/NSCN members from the Cease-Fire Supervisory Board (CFSB) who went to diffuse the situation. The AR also acted aloof and did not to acknowledge the presence of the GPRN/NSCN CFSB members. Instead of co-operating they took away all the phones and detained the picnickers and CFSB members,” it stated.
The GPRN/NSCN said that after more than 5 hours of “unruly behavior and high-handedness,” the AR, at the intervention of Western Sumi Kukami Hoho (WSKH) and village elders, allowed the members to leave.
It reminded that the Cease-Fire Ground Rules agreed between the Government of India and the GPRN/NSCN is still intact and adhered with all its modalities in the interest of peace and conducive conclusion of the Indo-Naga political problem.
“The Assam Rifles, however, with its usual habit of rowdiness once again preferred to create an unwarranted situation and disrespect the spirit of Cease-Fire Ground Rules agreed upon by both GOI and GPRN/NSCN,” it alleged.
The GPRN/NSCN questioned the Assam Rifles higher-ups and the Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI whether those AR personnel “had any educative sense of Ceasefire Ground Rules and why would such officers and men transgress the ground rules?”
“The arbitrary act of poaching upon the unarmed GPRN/NSCN members, who neither carried arms nor displayed any military colour but simply having a get together in their own soil and land of their forefathers, need not be hackled and harassed by occupational forces. During the ceasefire period, Naga national workers have every right to conduct peaceful activities or congregate for social, cultural or spiritual meetings in any town, village or in a jungle,” it added.
It further stated that “ceasefire is not there to harass and threaten Nagas and Assam Rifles cannot justify their contempt for Ceasefire Ground Rules.” “Their motive is danger to peaceful co-existence. The on-going political parleys between the GOI and WC, NNPGs of which GPRN/NSCN is an integral part, must be respected by the Assam Rifles.
Disregarding the well placed Ceasefire Ground Rules and hurting the sentiment of Naga national workers by the Assam Rifles is seriously viewed and condemned,” it stated. The GPRN/NSCN said that appropriate measures should be taken up. “What is the real intention of Assam Rifles? Are they in Nagaland to facilitate peaceful co-existence between India and Nagas or hell-bent on destroying the hope of mutually acceptable transition from conflict to enduring peace?” it further questioned.
