Dimapur, November 06 2008: The Isak-Muivah group of the NSCN has accused the government of Nagaland and Assam Rifles of playing a partisan role while dealing with the underground groups.

In a statement issued to the press tonight, the NSCN-IM has said that the Assam Rifles and the government of Nagaland have been showing leniency to the rival NSCN-K group.

Pointing out an instance, the NSCN-IM said that on November 5 the Assam Rifles had nabbed three cadres of the NSCN-K in Kohima along with sophisticated weapons traveling in a Bolero jeep ( NL 10-3685 ) that belongs to the government of Nagaland but no drastic action was initiated against the NSCN-K cadres.

However, two NSCN-IM cadres were arrested from Dimapur and booked under National Security Act (NSA) by the government.

Terming it as a serious case, the NSCN-IM alleged that the partisan role played by the government of Nagaland and Assam Rifles have come out in the open.

"In the first place one point has to be made clear vis-�-vis Assam Rifles' projected duty in the name of dealing with erring factional cadres not observing ceasefire ground rules and which goes against maintaining peace in the local area.

NSCN will not stand against Assam Rifles during doing its duty.

But if the same yardstick is not applied to everyone for the same case then it becomes an issue that cannot be overlooked under any circumstances," stated the NSCN-IM in a statement.

Pointing to the government registered Bolero jeep allegedly used by the NSCN-K cadres, the NSCN-IM asks, "What immediately draws our attention is that this is a state government vehicle.

Who sanctioned this vehicle to be used by K-group for anti-social works ? And who is the authorized owner of the vehicle ? These two questions have to be answered by the state police and Home department.

Because crimes goes on unabated in Kohima and Dimapur in the hands of K-group.

The abduction of four businessmen from Agri and Jail Colonies in Kohima on November 5 is just the latest case in point among many such cases".

Among the three apprehended from the state government vehicle one is identified as Isak Sumi, the K-group military spokesperson.

But what matters most is the leniency extended to any arrested cadres of K-group.

Had the three been NSCN members NSA would have been applied.

This is the tragic state of treatment meted out by state police in collaboration with AR and intelligence agencies against NSCN.

Recently, two NSCN members, Akato Sumi and Hureya Sumi whe were apprehended from Dimapur were booked under NSA.

What further irked the NSCN is the manner of raiding the areas of suspected NSCN places in Kohima and Dimapur.

But taking shelter in the false reports of its intelligence sources about the hideouts of K-group, raids are hardly conducted against the K-group," further alleged the NSCN-IM statement.

The outfit then questioned, "When businessmen are abducted to be slaughtered if the demanded amount is not paid, what greater crime is the state government looking for that warranted immediate action under NSA?".

What manner of public security measure is the state government adopting to ensure public security, particularly the businessmen who have been placed at the receiving ends, it added.

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