Dimapur, March 14 (MExN): Following weeks of allegations and appeals made by CSOs in Peren seeking the release of two individuals allegedly ‘abducted’ and held captive at the Khehoi designated camp, the GPRN/NSCN on Sunday issued a statement to “set the record straight.”
Under the jurisdiction of Kiyevi Village, Aqahuto area in Dimapur, a large number of matured thirty year old teak trees from a well maintained plantation area were found freshly cut and smuggled, the GPRN/NSCN said in its statement issued by its MIP.
The following morning the three ‘timber thieves’ were caught in the same farmland with hand saws, machetes and rations to cut and steal more, the GPRN/NSCN counter-alleged.
Upon enquiry, the men said that the owner had sent them for the job but no owner came to corroborate their claim, it stated.
“The reality is, these men are habitual timber thieves in the area and they have been detained for intruding into the teak plantation of others, cutting and smuggling timber. They are punishable under Naga customary law,” the GPRN/NSCN stated.
It also termed it ‘unfortunate’ that while the Zeliangrong Students’ Union Nagaland (ZSUN) has claimed the accused to be hailing from Lamhainamdi Village under Peren district and that they were going to their fields, the confessional statement says otherwise.
Two of the detained persons hail from Rainglong Village under Tamenlong District, Manipur, and are temporary residents of Jalukie town, while the third person is from Jalukie village, Peren district, according to the GPRN/NSCN statement.
“…Till date the person who hired these men has not come forward,” it added.
Reacting to the public rally organised by the ZSUN on March 12 seeking release of the two individuals, the GPRN/NSCN said that while peaceful democratic processions are necessary in any civilized society for justice, “it is very unfortunate to see certain section of people trying to whip up emotions and paint the matter without addressing the reasons which led to their arrest.”
“GPRN is ready to release the thieves should the stolen timbers be returned honourably,” it added.
It added that in Naga the judiciary system, stealing is an abominable crime and punishment must be pronounced.
Further, in order to deliver ‘proper justice in true Naga tradition’, the GPRN/NSCN has called on the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) and Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB) to inspect the teak plantation, count the sawn root stumps and repay the plantation owner.
