Army rejects ZSUM's slur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 06 2013 : Outrightly rejecting allegations by the Zeliangrong Students' Union Manipur (ZSUM) that its information and publicity secretary namely David Kamei was illegally detained and harassed by 10 Assam Rifles, a PIB (DW) statement issued today reiterated that on December 26 last David Kamei along with one Obed Kamei were detained by Assam Rifles for aiding and abetting the escape of NSCN (K) and NNC cadres involved in extortion activities along NH-37 .

Reminding that the individuals were released unharmed with a strict warning considering the plea of David Kamei's brother Siganrei Kamei, wife, father Khangsong Kamei and his uncle Kakugai Kamei, the statement said they relatives came to request for his (David) release on the ground that he is young and foolish and due to wrong company went on a wayward path.

David Kamei had also assured the Assam Rifles that he would never again be found in company of underground cadres, maintained the statement adding that the family members also gave their assurance in writing that David and Obed will not be involved in any wrong activity in future.

The unit keeping in mind the young age of the two individuals released them to the family without initiating any police action for helping in the escape of the underground cadres.

Conveying that Assam Rifles at Noney has no direct linkage or contact with ZSUM, the PIB (DW) further stated that David Kamei was detained for aiding and abetting escape of underground cadres and not because he is a member of ZSUM.

The unit has no knowledge of his antecedents till he was questioned and he identified himself.

All social issues of the area are discussed by the unit with the village authorities and at times with ZSULA, the local student organization in the Longmei Area, it said.

Security forces have no agenda of tarnishing the image of any law abiding organization.

However wrong and unlawful deeds of an individual cannot be and will not be condoned under the garb of his being a member of any particular organization, asserted that statement.

The warning by ZSUM of threat to the life or David Kamei seems to be a means by the student organization to gain media mileage out of the issue as also for these organizations to put pressure on security forces and prevent them from carrying out operations in the area against underground organizations.

It may also be noted that security forces have never accused any social/student organization of wrong doing and have taken action only against individuals found directly involved in terrorist/underground related activities, the statement further maintained.

The ZSUM stand on David Kamei is based on the individual's version of the incident, it would be prudent for the student body to find the truth from David Kamei's family and village folk who were direct witness to the events on December 26, 2012 and then form an opinion on the activities of Assam Rifles.

Assam Rifles has always been associated with local civic bodies to carry on with the task of development as society building activities are the harbinger to lasting peace.

It would be more prudent for ZSUM to allow peace to reign in Longmei Area and contribute positively if it can rather than involving in malicious propaganda and rumour mongering.

The Assam Rifles in Noney has rendered humane service to people of the area and will continue to ensure just and lawful action against underground cadres and miscreants who support them, the statement cautioned.

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