Assam Rifles has outrightly rejected the allegation by NSCN (Khango) that one of its member, a special card holder was intercepted at MVCP and subsequently arrested, blindfolded and took inside the outpost.
PRO defence in a press statement clarified that based on report on the movement of armed cadre from Cease Fire office of NSCN (Khango), Block-V Thillixu village to “carryout extortion from fish market”, a check post was established on May 21 at around 9 pm near Block-I, Thillixu by following all protocols. PRO alleged that the suspected individual who was riding a motorcycle, was stopped for checking due to suspicious movements but tried to escape. On being caught, the cadre “behaved in an aggressive manner, using offensive language and tried to intimidate Assam Rifles soldiers on duty”, PRO claimed. Following which, the individual was searched and one 9 mm pistol with a magazine alongwith ten rounds were recovered. The cadre was in possession of “three fake duplicate coloured photocopies of Special cards issued by Cease Fire Supervisory Board (Khango) Supervisor, Impyangpa Ao” and after due verification, the individual was “freed, immediately with strict warning, not to carry fake & duplicate photocopies of Special cards”, PRO alleged.
PRO said the allegations regarding interruption in shifting of cease fire office on March 25 was “absolutely baseless as Assam Rifles itself ensured secured environment at Thilixu village in view of likely inter faction clashes with splinter group of Khango faction”. PRO claimed that all cadres moved to new Cease Fire office at Block-V, Thilixu uninterrupted except “SS Brigadier Phueka who was wanted by Nagaland Police on his involvement in Lamhainamdi killings 2021”. It also claimed that he was absconding followed recovery of huge cache arms and ammunition from his residence on March 4, 2023.
PRO therefore said that the news, “published ex parte, based on a press release” was an attempt to malign the image of Dimapur battalion of Assam Rifles.
