AR negates report
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 23 2012:
Refuting report which appeared in this paper's edition of April 23, the PIB (DW) has today clarified that the Assam Rifles did not violate human rights regarding the arrest of an NSCN (IM) cadre.
In a statement, the PIB (DW) said that based on specific information, a column of 19 AR along with police personnel of Khonsa Police Station launched an operation in the jungles near Hollam village in Tirap district on April 15 .
At around 6.45 pm, the column apprehended one militant who was later identified as SS Capt Yormi Horam Tangkhul of NSCN (IM) along with one muzzle loaded rifle (Baruah rifle), an extortion note of NSCN (IM) and two pairs of combat uniform, it stated.
SS Capt Yormi Horam was found to be in a sick state and was therefore immediately taken to District Hospital, Khonsa along with the local police representatives where the cadre was handed over in fit physical condition after proper medical examination to SHO, Khonsa Police Station and District Hospital, Khonsa.
It is learnt that SS Capt Yormi Horam subsequently expired on April 20 in the hospital, the PIB (DW) statement asserted.
"Proper laid down procedures and norms were followed during the conduct of the operation and further handing over of the apprehended NSCN (IM) cadre to the police," the PIB (DW) statement maintained.
It added, "There have been no human rights violation by the Assam Rifles troops in the entire episode" .
The PIB (DW) statement further stated that the newspaper report of SS Capt Yormi Horam succumbing due to torture by the 19AR is utterly false and malicious, aimed at tarnishing the image of the Assam Rifles.