Army's claim rebutted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 01 2019: Apropos to the news report originating from PRO (Defense) of the Indian Army regarding busting of NSCN (IM) camp in the State, the outfit has alleged that the Army has become desperate to score points over NSCN (IM) by presenting fabricated version of their own story and added that such creation of propaganda against the outfit will not be able to give the army a winning edge.

A press release issued by the outfit continued that quoting the residents of Taodaijang and nearby villages as if they are against NSCN (IM) only shows the ground reality where security forces are forcing words into the mouths of the locals to justify their actions against the outfit.

It is very unfortunate that the security forces undermined the sentiments of the villagers, it added.

Stating that the NSCN (IM) cadres are far from siting ducks, it continued that its cadres are swift to act without leaving anything behind.

The uniforms seized by the army belong to the local hunters and the army also seized a licensed gun which belonged to a hunter, it added, claiming that the hunter's plea proving his identity as the owner of the gun was sidelined by the army and police.

The arms displayed by the security forces do not belong to the NSCN (IM), it added.

It continued that contrary to the version of the army, the CSOs of Nungba area came out strongly against the Indian army for dismantling three paddy field huts at Mongjarong Khullen (Taodaijang) village without any valid reason on May 25 .

It further alleged that the security forces used three locals, including minors as human shields to escort them to the paddy fields where the huts were located as they suspected that they were being used by the outfit.

The CSOs of the area have expressed strong displeasure against the security forces, questioning their conduct that shows scant respect for the local sentiments and violated the human rights of the locals as well, it alleged, adding that the villagers have stated that such high handedness will only create a feeling of insecurity, loss of faith and will lead to non cooperation from the public towards the security forces.

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