Oppn questions release of NSCN-IM man
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 24 2020: Chief Minister N Biren who is also in charge of Home Department today told the Manipur Legislative Assembly that the release of one captain of NSCN-IM who was arrested by 14th Assam Rifles from Senapati was done by Court and it was not within the purview of the State Government.

Raising a call attention motion, MLA K Ranjit questioned the State Government as to why the NSCN-IM captain was released hastily in midnight and was escorted by police till Senapati.

He also asked the State Government as to why the State forces remained silent when NH 2 was blocked at Senapati over the arrest of the NSCN-IM captain.

On receiving information that NSCN-IM cadres were indulging in extortion on the highway, troops of Assam Rifles acted swiftly but the NSCN-IM cadres managed to overpower the AR troops and even snatched an AK 47 rifle.

This led to a tense stand-off between AR and NSCN-IM, Ranjit said.

Taking serious note of the situation, CSOs of Senapati returned the AK 47 rifle snatched by NSCN-IM cadres to Assam Rifles.

On the next day, AR troops nabbed one NSCN-IM cadre from Senapati Bazar.

It was protested by the people of Senapati and they even closed NH 2.In the meantime, the NSCN-IM cadre arrested by AR was handed over to police and he was brought to Lamphel police station, Ranjit said.

However, the NSCN-IM cadre was released on bail after he was produced before the CJM Senapati and police escorted the NSCN-IM cadre till Senapati, Ranjit said.

Recalling the public uprising of June 2001 against the Bangkok Declaration which extended the ceasefire agreement signed between India and NSCN-IM without territorial limits, Ranjit said that no military operation was carried out even though it was known at that time that NSCN-IM had its camps at Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong.

Even though the words 'without territorial limits' were later removed, the Government gave free hand to NSCN-IM to collect illegal taxes and ransom money, Ranjit said.

One Opposition MLA who once slammed the State Government for doing nothing even after knowing about the presence of NSCN-IM camps in the State has now become the Chief Minister of Manipur and the particular MLA holding an axe in hands vowed to protect Manipur and its indigenous at the Sahid Minar, Ranjit said.

He went on to ask if the ceasefire agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM is effective in Manipur too.

Responding to the call attention motion, Chief Minister N Biren stated that it would not be right to comment in the House on matters handled by the judiciary.

He said that there was not any weapon with the NSCN-IM cadre when he was handed over to police.

Release or detention of the militant cadre was within the purview of Court and it has nothing to do with the Government, Biren said.

He clarified that police did not escort the NSCN-IM cadre to Senapati.

Stating that the ceasefire agreement signed between Government of India and NSCN-IM is not effective in Manipur, Biren claimed that there have been several instances of destroying NSCN-IM camps in the State.

There is no question of the State Government ever compromising on the question of the State's territorial integrity, Biren asserted He said that investigation would be done against one police personnel who was seen shooting video using mobile phone during the road blockade at Senapati.

Saying that he was elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly for the first time on DRPP ticket after taking a vow with an axe his in hands, Biren asserted that the same spirit still runs deep in his body and soul.

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