Kohima: The Assam Rifles has denied recent media reports that security forces were involved in strikes against the NSCN (K) inside Myanmar.
A press statement issued by the PRO of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles, North (IGAR- N) recalled that on September 10 a party of Assam Rifles was going to Avangkhu for conducting medical camp when it was fired upon by NSCN (K) cadres. This party was also tasked to carry out verification of Border Pillars, which is a mandated task of Assam Rifles, being a Border Management force.
During Ceasefire with the NSCN (K), it was said a small detachment of troops could go up to the border and verify the Border Pillars, more so because Assam Rifles posts were located at Pokhungri. However, after the ceasefire abrogation, it informed that the isolated posts at Pokhungri, Pungro and Ziphu in Phek district were closed down. Since then, it was imperative to send a large posse of troops for carrying out verification of Border Pillars to ensure security of the troops, the Assam Rifles stated.
The force further claimed that the intention of sending AR troops to Avangkhu was to carry out medical camp as well as verify the border pillars in the area. “After the Assam Rifles troops were fired upon by cadres of NSCN(K) en-route to Avangkhu, it was decided to send a larger force to verify the border pillars and also prevent movement of NSCN(K) cadres,” it added.
The Assam Rifles stated that movement of troops “towards the border has unnecessarily been construed as movement across the border and linked up with some uncorroborated operations against Tsera Camp of NSCN (K)”.
It informed that there is no road existing from Avangkhu to Tsera Village in Myanmar except a foot track and that there was a landslide between Pokhungri and Avangkhu due to which all vehicles were stationed at Pokhungri.
Therefore, it said that all movement up to Avangkhu was carried out on foot. The Assam Rifles asserted that there was “absolutely no question of any vehicles or soldiers moving across the border.”
Reports of strikes carried out by the security forces inside Myanmar appears to be based on some mischievous comments posted in social media sites by inimical elements of society, the release stated.
“Involvement of Myanmar based cadres of NSCN (K) is a strong possibility especially after the NIA announcement of Rs 17 lakh bounty on Khaplang and Niki Sumi,” it added. (UNI)
