Army denies intelligence failure
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 06 2015 :
3 Corps GOC Lt Gen Bipin Rawat has said that there was no intelligence failure regarding Paraolon ambush.
Speaking to reporters after he paid floral tributes to the deceased personnel at Tulihal airport, the GOC said that the army has been receiving intelligence inputs from different sources and many major incidents were averted in the past acting on these intelligence inputs.
He said that paramilitary forces and army are here in the State to ensure peace and tranquillity to the people of Manipur but not to wage war against anybody or confront any group.
The GOC further said that the security forces would continue to work towards bring- ing peace no matter how hard it is.
Saying that the perpetrators of Paraolon ambush would be tracked down, the GOC said that giving support to undergound elements by villagers would only hamper the efforts of bringing peace.
Maintaining that majority of the people of the State are not in favour of such attacks, Lt Gen Rawat said that army also has no intention to create inconveniences and hardships to people.
Search operations are underway in Chandel district, he said and added that efforts are being made to nab them before they escape to their safe areas.
He also said that the cadre of NSCN (K), who died in June 4 incident, had already been apprehended by the army in 2012 but secured release later.
He also stated that there is no lapse in intelligence inputs, the GOC said and added that they have been getting inputs in large numbers from different sources.
Regarding AFSPA, Lt Gen Rawat said that the Act enables army to effectively fight with the underground cadres.
He further said that army and para-military forces try to give minimum hardship and inconvenience to people whenever they conduct an operation.
Saying that security forces would never harass innocent civilians, Lt Gen Rawat said that identifying the villagers who support underground elements is their priority.
Maintaining UG cadres comfortably sneak into either side of Indo-Myanmar porous border, Lt Gen Rawat said that there is need to sanitize the border areas.