Dimapur, November 24 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) today condemned the raid carried out by the 32 Assam Rifles “without any provocation from the NSCN” at the residence of its Central Administrative Officer (CAO) of UT-1, Rangkhamong Anar (Deputy Kilonser) at Signal Angami Bosti in Dimapur around 8:00 pm on November 18.
The raid lasted for about two hours despite the CAO producing his identity card issued by the competent authorities of both sides, alleged a press release from MIP, NSCN (IM). He was subsequently arrested along with two of his associates and handed over to the police.
“The GPRN belittles the AR team's ignorance of the CAO being a card holder,” it stated, alleging “The AR team did not even spare the women and children present at the residence during the raid.” The AR team also seized the identity card of the Secretary of the Cease Fire Monitoring Cell when he rushed to the spot to intervene, though he was not arrested, the MIP informed.
Stating that the “unwarranted & immature raid” happened at a time when the NSCN and the Government of India are on the verge of hammering out an amicable solution to the more than 60 years old Indo-Naga conflict, the NSCN (IM) maintained that the raid goes totally against the agreed cease fire ground rules. This, it said, “exposed the evil motive of the AR to disturb the hard earned peaceful atmosphere and also to discredit its political bosses at the Center.” The NSCN (IM) further rubbished the AR's claim of the arrested members being illegal drug peddlers.
Meanwhile, it informed that the AR team confiscated from the residence of the CAO several items and articles that were seized by the UT staff from the Blue Hill and Rail Bazaar areas in Dimapur and kept in the NSCN custody for further investigation and disposal. The items are one AK 56 with ammo, .22 Rifle with 76 live ammo along with the license, 650 pills of SP, 12 pills of Nitrous, a gram of cocaine (kaini), and Rs. 1200/- fake notes of Indian currency, according to the release.
In order to avoid further misunderstanding, the NSCN (IM) demanded, the confiscated properties should be returned immediately to the UT staff by the AR authority. Further it advised the AR authority “not to indulge in moral policing & to remain confined at their barracks without causing further annoyance to the otherwise peaceful Naga populace.”
