Imphal, August 24 2009: The People's Democratic Alliance (PDA), a regional political party in Manipur, has alleged that two cadres of National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Isac-Muivah (NSCN-IM) have been tortured and killed in a fake encounter by Assam Rifles (AR) on August 12 at Shakok village, Ukhrul district.

This was mentioned in a PDA memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh in connection with the alleged high handedness of the Assam Rifles personnel.

The regional political party mentioned in the memorandum that the Indo-Naga peace talk at the highest level between the Government of India (GOI) and NSCN-IM has completed 12 years with the commitment of sincere hope and honourable solution desired by both the negotiating parties is moving in the right direction.

However, the brutal murder of the two cadres of NSCN-IM, Salmon Hungyo and Phanitphang on August 12 by the 23 AR under the command of colonel S.S Bhugal Singh was a highly irresponsible and indecent action, stated the memorandum.

Moreover, the areas were sealed for about 3/4 days and the people were made to remain confined in their respective home causing them serious inconveniences, it said.

Terming the August 12 incident as third-degree method, the PDA stated in the memorandum that such methods are not permissible and stated that balanced approach is needed so that the criminals do not go scot free.

Stating that custodial death is one of the worst crimes in civilized society, the PDA stated that such act is naked violation of human dignity.

Demanding punishment of the guilty security forces personnel according to laws of the land, the regional party condemned such acts.

The party further stated that people want peace and honourable solution of this old deadlock through political dialogue despite the suppression by arms powers.

The party further urged the attention of the Prime Minister towards the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talk and not to derail the smooth ongoing peace talk and suspension of operation by both the parties.

It urged all to respect the mandate of the peace talk and suspension of operation by both the parties and any action of high-handedness and imposing the will of the strong over the weak must be stopped, it said.

The PDA urged the Prime Minister to prevail upon the armed forces personnel in the hill areas of Manipur not to repeat incidents like that of August 12 and to punish the guilty security personnel.

It then urged to pursue the Indo-Naga peace talk with commitment and sincerity for early settlement once and for all.