IG AR cracks SoO whip, strictly warns all to fall in line
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 24 2008: Inspector General Assam Rifles (IGAR-South) AK Choudhury has cautioned that anyone who has signed the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement but violated its rules will not be spared by the security forces and action would be initiated against them.

The IG of Assam Rifles reasoned that SoO is a platform to talk under the framework of the Constitution of India and that breaking the rules will prompt the security forces to act.

The Assam Rifles officer also said that if the security forces personnel are found violating human rights such as torturing civilians without rhyme and reason, the higher authorities in the security forces will award befitting punishment to the culprits.

The arms and ammos seized put on display

Talking to the media persons on the sideline of arms display ceremony today at the headquarters of Inspector General Assam Rifle (IGAR-South) at Mantripukhri, AK Choudhury then said, "In Manipur the role of the security forces is becoming more and more important while containing the insurgency in the State" .

Choudhury expressed his gratitude to the security forces personnel (State police commandos) under Heingang Police Station who had done a 'commendable job' on Thursday night by gunning down five militants and recovered arms and ammunition from the slain militants.

He said that acting on some reliable information 39 Assam Rifles personnel along with Imphal East police commandos rushed to a place and spotted the militants.

According to the Assam Rifles Inspector General, the security forces personnel asked the militants to surrender but instead of obliging they fired at the security forces personnel.

In retaliation, the security forces personnel gunned down five militants, claimed AK Choudhury.

In that incident the security forces personnel managed to recover large a number of arms and ammunitions including explosive materials.

They also recovered some detonator, Plastic Explosive Kitky (PEK), a battery charger, one hand grenade, one lethode bomb, one Chinese hand grenade, two 9 mm pistol, one carbine, one single barrel gun, two-M-16, 20 live rounds of M-16, 18 L/R of SLR, 8 L/R of 9mm along with a few empty cases.

Two demand letters of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) signed by 'chingang district commander and commander in chief' L.Khuman were also said to have been recovered from the slain cadres in the Heingang incident.

On the powerful Tuesday blast of Imphal the Assam Rifles Inspector General stated that such blast in a public area was not accepatable.

He further appreciated the public for openly condemning the act of militants and said, "It is the positive sign for future peace and development." On the larger front, the IGAR said that the security forces personnel have neutralized unlawful armed persons to a large extent and informed that a total of 120 militants have been killed since the past few months.

"As the general public is becoming aware of the acts of the militants it is the right time for the militants to hold talks or else surrender for future peace and development,said the Assam Rifles officer.

"The police are carrying out their job well despite the removal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from the seven segments of Imphal," AK Choudhury said.

Choudhury further informed that if the need arises the patrolling and checking in the Indo-Myanmar road would be increased.