NSCN (I-M) has condemned the killing of one NSCN member by 18 Assam Rifles on December 30 at Zhutovi village and claimed the incident was a “well planned” executed by AR troops.
Narrating the sequences of incident, secretary union territory-1 NSCN (I-M), Akato Swu, in a press release, said on receipt of information that some unknown persons were collecting taxes on Pimla-Jalukie road in the name of “different faction”; leacy supervisors along with three other staffs went to Zhutovi area to ascertain the fact.
They proceeded till Vihuto village, but could not find such persons collecting tax. While returning, they halted by the roadside at Zhutovi area near rubber plantation and saw two passengers of taxi (Sumo) approaching. When the duo approached near the NSCN (I-M) members, troops of AR in a bolero and gypsy arrived from behind and fired indiscriminately at them, the secretary said.
In the firing, NSCN (I-M) claimed that ‘razou peyu’ Vishito was shot in the leg in the “first firing” and later was shot dead. Further, NSCN (I-M) also clarified that during that time of incident no truckers were present on the spot except for the two passengers and that the cadres did not stop the taxi nor carried out extortion or was carrying arms and cash as claimed by AR.
NSCN (I-M) also hit out the AR for “firing intentionally to kill anyone there without knowing the reason” and “later fabricated a story just to save their evil action”.
It therefore, termed the action of AR as a clear violation and not adhering to the ceasefire rules. It further questioned AR “how they would feel when the NSCN members opened fire and declared that they were fired upon on suspicious?”