NSCN-K (Khango-Vusshe) has accused the 11 Assam Rifles (AR) of allegedly trying to conduct a “fake encounter” on three of its members on March 21, before the timely intervention of the NSCN Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB/NSCN) averted the incident.
Taking serious note of the incident, NSCN (K) in a press release claimed that personnel of 11 AR (Zunheboto) intercepted a vehicle at Aghunato Town around 5 pm that day, and apprehended three of its members without any justification.
The group pointed out that this action reflected the security forces’ belligerent attitude, aimed at disturbing the peaceful atmosphere in the area. When no illegal arms or incriminating documents were found from their possession, the trio was forcibly taken to Tizu river where they were physically assaulted and threatened with dire consequences to extract information about arms and ammunition.
NSCN-K alleged that the AR personnel further resorted to inducing a fear psychosis tactic by isolating one member Kiyeto Kinny (Tuto Kinny), intimidating and coercing him to falsely claim that the other two NSCN members had forcibly recruited him. It said that though he was allegedly threatened with execution upon release from jail, Kinny courageously refused to comply with this nefarious plot.
After failing to indict the members, NSCN-K said they were taken back to Aghunato town and halted at Litsu junction, where the security forces, armed with loaded rifles, allegedly ordered them to pronounce their last words and make a run for their lives, which NSCN (K) termed as an indication of a clear intent to stage a fake encounter.
However, the group claimed that this was only averted due to the timely intervention of the NSCN Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB/NSCN).
According to NSCN (K), the 11 AR conducted three intensive searches of the vehicle at the interception site and an additional search at Aghunato Town Police Outpost, but did not find illegal materials.
However, on the pretext of conducting another re-check of the vehicle, NSCN-K alleged that they planted a photocopy of taxation slip in the vehicle using sleight of hand to falsely implicate the members at 10 am on March 22.
Strongly condemning the incident, the group alleged repeated violations of ceasefire ground rules by security forces, which were systematically overlooked.
Maintaining that it was highly questionable how such violations of ceasefire ground rules by the security forces were always covered up, and the erring officers and personnel went unpunished, the group said the Nagas still remembered many such instances like the Oting incident where justice was denied to them.
Pointing out that impunity was granted to personnel involved in unwarranted intrusions, privacy breaches, and human rights abuses under the guise of maintaining law and order, NSCN-K said the security forces in Nagaland were mostly concentrated in populated areas, stressing that their unwarranted actions, intrusion of privacy and human rights violation under the pretext of law and order situation should be checked by the Nagas, adding that everyone was equal before the law of the land.
Cautioning that provocative actions by AR ahead of the upcoming review of the ceasefire extension were jeopardising Nagaland’s fragile peace, the group said the paramilitary force should not derail the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in Nagaland by stirring up unwanted situation just to benefit from the precarious situation. NSCN-K asked AR to uphold its motto of “Friends of the Hill People”, rather than act as “Foes of the Hill People.”