AR refutes allegation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 20 2013:
The allegations about irregularities in recruitment by Human Rights initiative has been strongly refuted by the Assam Rifles as false, meaningless and malicious.
Reacting to the allegation that elaborated about the sequence of events, fails to substantiate the same with factual evidence.
The details of the individual who asked the claimant to come to Hyderabad, the contact man who contacted him at Hyderabad and the names of the all the individuals apparently involved in the incident have not been mentioned in the report, said a statement issued by the PIB (DW).
Pointing out that the Senapati Brigade has been endeavouring to nurture and encourage the youth of Senapati to join the Army in general or SF in particular with the aim of bringing in development to this remote region, the statement said that however, with regards to the conduct, execution and process of recruitment, it is clarified that the troops deployed on ground are not directly involved in the process.
The role of the Assam Rifles units is restricted to educating the youth about the avenues available in the Armed Forces and Para Military Forces.
As stated by the claimant, his chest number is 5952.However, as per records held with the Army this is the number of the admission form for the Dimapur and Lokra Assam Rifles rally conducted from September 25, 2012 onwards for enrolment as Tradesman; ORL, EFS , Plumber, Electrician only.
No call letter was issued or provided by the Assam Rifles as alleged.
As per the individual, he read an advertisement in "AZA", a daily newspaper from Ukhrul for recruitment being conducted in August at Keithelmambi.
The same was never published by this unit nor requested for publication by the Assam Rifles.
The individual stated that he was asked to come to Hyderabad wherein he proceeded under his own arrangements and contacted the suspected impersonators without confirming the authenticity of the call letter and without corroborating the same with either, Recruitment Office, Rangapahar or the nearest Army unit.
Regarding some of the facts as stated in the allegation, some glaring inconsistencies are noticed.
The two cellular numbers that the claimant is to have called are of Idea Cellular and both belong to the Hyderabad Circle.
Both the numbers are currently switched off.
Also, there is a mismatch in the timings of move of the claimant to Keithelmambi for the Recruitment Rally.
Also there is no authorised "Army Defence Academy" in Hyderabad.
Additionally, no Army or Assam Rifles Recruitment Rally accepts candidates below the age of 18 years, whereas the claimant is purported to be a 17 year old student.
It is also clarified that the Army or Assam Rifles do not assist in filling forms for Army Recruitment Rallies as they are all open rallies nor are as any call letters issued by the Army / Assam Rifles.
"The entire report is full of inconsistencies.
The Assam Rifles has not been involved in any direct recruitment of the individual as alleged.
The entire story is fabricated and aimed at defaming the Security Forces," it added.