DIMAPUR, FEB 7 (MExN): Responding to the allegation leveled against the Khaplang outfit of the NSCN by the Indian Army of kidnapping one havildar of the Territorial Army Battalion of Nagaland and violating the cease-fire ground rules, the NSCN stated, ‘it is a serious case of blunt accusation arising out of ignorance and lack of evidence on the part of Indian Army’ while clarifying that the deployment of NSCN cadres and members at Dimapur is strictly limited to “combating of adversaries” harmful to Naga’s aspirations. The Indian forces and the NSCN (K) are currently at “Peace Process.”
The clarification statement issued by the Military Spokesman of the People’s Army also clarified that, in Dimapur NSCN cadres were posted mostly at sensitive areas and the nature and location of incident (kidnapping) itself suggests the involvement of some other elements, who freely meander in and around the city. “The question of kidnapping an Indian Army is thus unwarranted on our part,” it added.
The NSCN appealed the Indian authorities to differentiate the ‘criminals’ and ‘nationalists’ and also to cease from any such activities which aims at demoralizing the struggle, for it is inherent and undying. The outfit further warned that ‘trying to malign’ the NSCN’S image by unnecessarily and ignorantly linking them, would serve no purpose.
