Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 4
The NSCN (IM) has expressed unhappiness over the manner in which the Assam Rifles had been denying the presence of armed cadres from its rival group at Athibung town.
Earlier talking to The Morung Express, a top official of the Assam Rifles gave the version that it was the NSCN (IM) cadres who had marched into Athibung town while pointing out that the cadres from the NSCN (K) “were never at Athibung town in the first place” as they already had an official designated camp next to Athibung.
“We will not permit any group whether it is I-M, Khaplang or FGN to operate with arms in populated and civilian areas”, the official said on condition of anonymity and further said that the NSCN (IM) cadres should leave Athibung town.
“The Assam Rifles is denying to us over so many years now and today we are showing them that the NSCN (K) is there. The recent clash at Athibung is itself an indication of the presence of the NSCN (K)”, a top NSCN (IM) source who did not want to be named said.
Clearly showing displeasure over the denial by the Assam Rifles, the NSCN (IM) source admitted that its cadres had entered the town only because the Security Forces had failed miserably in clearing out rival group from Athibung town. “When people who are not supposed to be there are present, we have to ensure that they are pushed out”, the source maintained.
When queried on whether the NSCN (IM) was willing to defuse the situation by moving out of Athibung? “There is also no point for us to stay there”, was the reply.
“When we enter the area, personnel of the Assam Rifles and the IRB refuse us entry on the grounds that we are too close to their camps”, Deputy Kilonser of the NSCN (IM), V Horam said.
“We had put forward a proposal (to Kulkarni) that we could jointly conduct spot verification in the area and resolve the issue. But there are conflicting reports from both sides.”
Horam further warned, “If anything goes wrong, the CFSB will be held responsible.”
