Raid at NSCN-IM's tactical Hqs ; Six captives rescued, claims Deputy CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 15 2014: In the course of raiding NSCN-IM Wung region tactical head-quarters by State forces in the aftermath of the assassination of former Ukhrul ADC Vice Chairman and incumbent Exe-cutive Member Ngalangzar Malue, six persons held by the outfit were rescued.

Moreover, an intelligence report indicating that NSCN-IM compiled a list of 7/8 persons for execution has been received, stated Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Gaikhangam in the State Assembly today.

Ngalangzar Malue was shot dead by suspected NSCN-IM cadres at Finch Corner on July 12 on the way to his native village of Nongman, Ukhrul district.

Responding to a call attention motion put up by MLA Dr I Ibohalbi in connection with the assassination of the ADC Member, Gaikhangam stated that an FIR was registered at Shangshak police station in connection with the incident following which security forces raided a tactical headquarters of NSCN-IM during which eight cadres were pulled up along with substantial numbers of arms and ammunition and incriminating documents.

Office room of NSCN-IM's Wung Tangkhul Region tactical Hqs raided by security forces on July 13

Moreover, six persons held captive by NSCN-IM were also rescued during the counter insurgency operation.

If the NSCN-IM's camp was not raided, the six persons could have lost their life, stated the Deputy Chief Minister.

Quoting an intelligence source, Gaikhangam inform-ed the House that a list com- piled by NSCN-IM for execution of 7/8 persons has been found.

The State Government had already declared NSCN-IM as an unlawful organisation many years back but the same declaration was rescinded after the outfit started peace talk with the Government of India.

The same revocation was being used by NSCN-IM as a licence to abduct and kill people.

Informing that security forces have been keeping round the clock vigil at Ukhrul town in order to restore normalcy in the area, Gaikhangam conveyed that strict instructions have been issued to all security personnel to avoid causing inconve- niences to civilians in the course of counter-insurgency operations.

The Deputy Chief Minister also appealed for cooperation from all sections of the society towards the counter insurgency operation so as to free Manipur from all sorts of criminal activities and violence.

Taking due note of the threats, ADC Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen are provided security escorts while Executive Members were instructed to submit their tour progra-mmes in advance so that ne- cessary security arrangement could be made before they embark on any journey to hill areas.

However, Ngalangzar Ma-lue, compelled by the urgency of visiting his ailing mother, started for his native village without giving any information to the Home Department.

"Even if no tour progra-mme could be prepared, had the ADC Member informed the police headquarters or the Chief Minister or the concerned SP or myself through telephone, police could have been asked to pursue and give security cover to the ADC Member", Gaikhangam rued.

With the primary task of assisting the State force in maintaining law and order in hill areas, one army brigade is deployed in every hill district headquarters.

Assassination of an elec-ted public leader without giving any warning ought to be condemned by the House.

Ngalangzar Malue was not killed for personal enmity but he died for the cause of the integrity of Manipur.

If such killings continue any longer, people would certainly rise in unison against the perpetrators and they would not find any refuge, Gaikhangam warned.

The case of Ngalangzar is not the first one.

Many pro-minent political leaders were assassinated in Ukhrul district in the past too, Gaikha- ngam reminded.

From 1980 till date, more than 100 prominent leaders and innocent civilians have been killed and such acts can never be absolved.

The Government has been bearing all the excesses for these years thinking that all the people of the State are brothers and sisters.

But today, the outfit has crossed all the limits and the Government has exhausted its tolerance limits.

These facts should not be lost on the minds of the perpetrators.

Raising the call attention motion, Dr Ibohalbi said that NSCN-IM's denial of their hand in the assassination of Ngalangzar would not be accepted by the public.

He also lauded the Government's prompt action which led to arrest of eight NSCN-IM cadres.

He reminded that former Rajya Sabha Member Rishang Keishing, former Minister DD Thaisii, late MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing and Deputy Speaker MK Preshow Shimray had encountered deadly attacks before ADC Member Ngalangzar was assassinated.

NSCN-IM has been indulging in all kinds of unlawful and criminal activities taking advantage of the fact that cease fire ground rules are not applicable in the State of Manipur, Ibohalbi remarked.