Entire town must be cleared of armed groups: Kulkarni
BOTH THE NSCN factions reportedly locked in a bitter feud at Athibung town have been told to vacate the area within a few hours time. Terming it as a complete violation of the ceasefire ground rules, Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group/Supervisory Board, Lt Gen (Retd) RV Kulkarni told The Morung Express that both the NSCNs would have to move out immediately from the civilian area and abide by the ground rules as laid down.
“The Athibung situation is clear violation of ceasefire ground rules and there is no debate about it”, Kulkarni remarked in no uncertain terms.
Whether it was the Assam Rifles or the two NSCN factions, the message from Kulkarni was clear that the entire town would have to be cleared and normalcy restored at the earliest.
The Assam Rifles has also been told to take appropriate action and to ensure that no armed cadres remain in civilian areas. “I have been in touch with the Inspector General of Assam Rifles and my brief to them was that the security forces would have to get the cadres out of Athibung”, Kulkarni said while taking into consideration the clear mandate of the Security Forces to enforce the ground rules.
“The response from both the NSCN groups is positive”, Kulkarni said pointing out that he was in touch with them on a regular basis. The NSCN (K) reportedly assured Kulkarni that its armed cadres had already vacated the place. Similarly, the NSCN (IM) likewise was ‘taking steps’ to clear civilian areas, Kulkarni informed this paper.
