DIMAPUR, FEB 8 (MExN): Reacting sharply to the Army’s allegation that the NSCN-K had kidnapped a jawan, a havildar, the outfit has demanded an apology from the Indian Army. The ‘MIP Secretary’ of the ‘People’s Army’ demanded to know if the disappearance of the errant cadre (a havildar) had been thoroughly investigated, with the Army’s many investigative machineries, before making “such wild accusations”. The NSCN-K statement added that the said havildar might have gone to “rape some women, or to commit theft, or to the brothel house” and to escape chastisement from his commanders, he may have implicated the outfit or he might have been instigated by others to take advantage of the volatile situation in Dimapur and Kohima.
The MIP stated that the NSCN-K would not take phrases like a “stern warning” and “an appropriate action”, lying down. It questioned the Army and the GOI if they thought that the NSCN-K was bonded slaves to be dictated upon and since the outfit is of “legitimate sons of a free and sovereign nation”, it is not “scared of your threats”. The statement went on to say that the Naga Army had been fighting “50 lakhs” Indian army and “20 lakhs” Myanmarese army and so fighting is never new to the cadres. “Remember that the Almighty has already cursed your army and your country. Suicides of your cadres and fratricides among the Indian Army personnel are a daily occurrence”. The MIP said that countless NSCN-K cadres have been killed, many jailed as well as arms and ammunition seized during the cease-fire period.
On these grounds, the NSCN-K demanded unconditional apology from the Indian Army for their “irresponsible utterances” or the act would remain a ‘deep wound in the cease-fire agreement’ with the GOI. The MIP added that the errant havildar should be immediately court-martialed.
