Imphal, February 17 2009: Taking serious offence of the PREPAK's allegations, the Army spokesperson has clarified that the 57 Mountain Division has never been involved in any human rights violation or fake encounters.

Neither has it ever acted as a henchman of any political body, the spokesperson said while asserting that such generalised accusations in the namely of security forces are grossly offensive and malicious, conveyed a PIB (DW) release.

Stating that 57 Mountain Division has been striving for peace in Manipur, it claimed that all its actions and activities have been directed towards upliftment of the weaker sections of the society.

Large number of MCA projects and excursion tours conducted by the Army are ample proof of its genuine intention, it said.

Saying that the Army is always willing for furtherance of the peace process and welcomes all groups interested in peace talks, the spokesperson asserted that the Army will not tolerate belligerence of any group under any circumstances.

Clarifying that the Army does not believe in a campaign of terror against people, it said that the Army will continue with its offensive against militant groups.