NSCN (IM) refutes Assam Rifles’ claim on encounter, terms it cold blooded murder

The NSCN (IM) has condemned what it called ‘inhuman torture and cold blooded murder’ of two of its unarmed members – Tenwang Wangsa of Senua Noksa village and Acham Wangsu of Longphong village – at Senua Noksa village under Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh in full view of the public.

In a release issued on Friday night, the NSCN (IM) accused the 16th Assam Rifles under the command of Major K B Singh of Wakka outpost of the cold blooded murder of its two members and claiming to have killed in an encounter.

It alleged that the Assam Rifles personnel had killed its members at the residence of the deputy village chief after over powering them on July 11. It went on to add that the Assam Rifles personnel resorted to blank firing throughout the night to mislead the villagers on pretext that the two were killed in an encounter. The bodies were handed over to the family and villagers after 3 pm on the following day on July 12, it added.

The NSCN (IM) has also alleged that the Assam Rifles personnel had crossed all human ethics in total disregard to the dead.

It has accused the Assam Rifles of trying to destroy the peace process initiated by the government of India.

Claiming that the members were captured and murdered through the sinister design of the Assam Rifles by inviting them to the residence of the deputy chief of the village, the NSCN (IM) said the question of encounter or the Assam Rifles personnel coming under fire from the victims or weapons captured from the victims was baseless, ridiculous and highly malicious.

It also stated that a Naga army personnel of Wakka village, “Sergeant” Pangang Gangsa, was killed right in front of his wife by the same 16 Assam Rifles personnel on May 25. The following day, they had proudly claimed before the media to have killed him in an encounter, it added.

Condemning the incident, the NSCN (IM) expressed remorse that in its sincere quest for peace it has instead become a victim of the ceasefire.

According to the outfit, it has lost more members during the ceasefire period beginning August 1997 till date when compared to the number of casualties during the non-ceasefire period.