Dimapur, March 7 (MExN): With regard to the news item, “Assam Rifles apprehend three”, which was published on March 2 issue of this paper, one of the persons whom the Assam Rifles alleged as key functionary of NCSN (K) has reacted to the Assam Rifles press release as “false publication to tarnish our image for their own personal gain thereof.”
In the press release, Assam Rifles had claimed that 32 Assam Rifles apprehended three key functionaries of NSCN (K) from Eros Lane, Dimapur on February 22. One of them was Er. A Kaghoto Assumi, elder brother of Finance Secretary of NSCN (K), Max Assumi, who was apprehended by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 3, 2016 and is currently under judicial custody.
Er. A Kaghoto Assumi, who is also the Convenor of International Organization for Human Rights Protection (IOHRP), in a rejoinder recounted that on that “fateful day”, he and his friend had gone to a workshop at Blue Hill Station area where his friend’s bike was under repair. On reaching the workshop, the two were told that the mechanic had left for lunch. Hence, he and his friend decided to have lunch near the workshop. They drove to a hotel and sat there for almost an hour having lunch. His vehicle was parked just opposite the hotel.
Later, when the two turned the vehicle to head back towards the bike workshop, two (2) Maruti Gypsy of Assam Rifles “appeared in the middle of nowhere”, overtook his vehicle and asked him to stop and “within a blink of an eye they rounded up my vehicle with gun point and forced us to deport soon,” Assumi said. The two were then blindfolded, hands bound behind the back and pushed into their M-gypsy without any queries, the rejoinder added.
“They took us to their camp and started interrogating us using their first degree. Hence, in response to their queries, I told them that the very vehicle which I was driving was earlier borrowed by my brother twice and from that very vehicle my brother Max was apprehended by (NIA) but since the vehicle belongs to me so I delivered the said vehicle from police custody through Zimanama,” Assumi stated.
“…but despite giving all the details to the Assam Rifles (AR) personnel, they again applied the 2nd degree method over me and asked me to reveal the fact beyond my confession.” According to Assumi, the Assam Rifles threatened him with a loaded gun.
Assumi alleged that after using their “2nd degree formula” for almost one hour, the Assam Rifles again warned him to speak the truth within two hour otherwise they will apply the “3rd degree.” “But before the expiry of the said time, one officer came and started interrogating me verbally...” Assumi said that only when he gave his personal profile, including that he is a State government servant, the Assam Rifles personnel ended the interrogation and left his cell.
However, the press release published on March 2 alleged that Assumi and other two were apprehended with a weapon and tax collection receipts and that they were on their way to extort Rs. 1 lakh from a hotel owner on behalf of NSCN (K).
Assumi has demanded that the Assam Rifles should come out with “full proof” in the print media on the allegations made against them. He has also asked the Assam Rifles to clarify without fail as to “why they published such uncalled words to tarnish our image.”
