'IM' admits 'shameful act' of beating up passengers by own cadres
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 24, 2013: On behalf of the NSCN-IM, Kilo (home) Secretary Q.Awomi has written to the President of Sumi Hoho and Sumi Totimi Hoho acknowledging the 'unfortunate' and 'shameful' act of Naga Army personnel on December 21 at Aghuito, ' where passengers were beaten up by NSCN-IM cadres.

In a press release, the Ministry of Information and Publicity of the armed outfit acknowledged 'the unfortunate incident which happened on December 21 at Aghuyito, where our three cadres without any directives and under the influence of alcohol violated serious human rights, and said that such conduct could neither be justifiable nor condonable in any manner.

"In order to do justice, the competent authority has arrested the culprits and started interrogation.

In addition to this, an inquiry committee has been constituted at cabinet level.

It is assured that befitting punishment shall be awarded," Q.Awomi wrote to the two presidents, following an emergency cabinet meeting held today.

Describing the incident as a 'barbaric' act which could be indulged by people with 'sick mentality,' NSCN (IM) maintained that such act has 'no place in the Naga society'.

Seven passengers, including two women, on a taxi to Zunheboto were harassed and beaten by the three personnel of Naga Army on the night of, December 21. 'We are deeply ashamed that our three cadres instead of playing the role of protectors became monsters and therefore we have taken actions accordingly.

As per the Naga Army Act Rules & Regulations (NAARR), the three cadres have been punished with rank demotion, rank retardation and they have been awarded with hard labour imprisonment,' informed the MIP.

Further, it stated that 'We seek forgiveness and appeal the victims in particular and Naga people in general to pardon the actions of our three cadres whose irresponsibility and indiscipline has cost immense trouble and embarrassment to the government.

This incident has made us re-introspect the evilness within us.

We pray for an early recovery of the victims and pray that God will give them strength to forgive us'.

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