Imphal, August 16 2009: Reacting to news report regarding protest rally at Ukhrul district headquarters some days back, the Assam rifles contended that the protest demonstration was organised at the behest of the NSCN (IM).

A statement issued today by the PRO IGAR (S) on the issue, contended that casualties sustained by the NSCN (IM) cadres were a result of an encounter, that ensued after the initial firing by the militants.

Recounting circumstances leading to the encounter at Sakok village, the PRO claimed that the locals are fully aware of armed IM cadres firing shots at the AR troops 'in a planned manner'.

These militants had stayed the night near Hundung Goda village and in the morning of August 12 tried to engage the AR troops carrying out road opening drills along the Shangshak to Phungyar road, the statement maintained.

Further claiming that AR troops acted most professionally, while engaging the militants, and took care to ensure safety and security of civilian population at the cost of their own safety, the PRO statement also said 'NSCN (IM)'s malicious and crafty propaganda to mislead the local populace of Ukhrul and adjoining areas in trying to apportion the blame for disturbing the peace and tranquillity to AR troops is ridiculous'.

Apart from posing why 'otherwise so matured' populace is falling in the obvious trap of NSCN (IM), it also conveyed that the villagers gave a warm send-off to the troops when the operation was called off on August 15 and that the villagers expressed gratitude to the AR troops for providing them with all assistance even while the operations were in full swing.

Insisting that some militant group sponsored media reports have tried to malign the security forces without considering the facts on ground, it also quoted some villagers of disclosing to AR troops deployed around Sakok village that NSCN (IM) cadres had forced them to participate in protest rallies failing threatening them of dire consequences and imposition of fine upto Rs 500 per family.

"It is very evident that the IM cadres are keen to disturb the peace and tranquillity prevailing in the areas and exploit the local populace for meeting their malicious agenda," the PRO further claimed while reminding social organisations and local populace that it is their prime duty to ensure that peace and tranquillity is not disturbed and IM cadres are not permitted to extort, harass and break the laws of the land.

Affirming that Assam Rifles will continue to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevails and carry out effective operations against militant organisations, the PRO also suggested that local populace see through sinister design of militant organisations and act decisively against militancy which directly retards the pace of progress and development.