Mokokchung, September 25 (MTNews): A personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was reportedly caught red-handed planting a booby trap on Saturday during an event for the reconstruction of the Jadonang memorial site in Puiluanh village, Nungba sub-division, in Tamenglong district.
According to a press release, Singh was apprehended by the Puiluanh villagers after sensing his ‘suspicious movements in a civil dress’ near the area where an IED was found planted.
The culprit was then brought before the Puiluanh Pei (Village Customary Court) accompanied by Assistant Commandant 87 Bn CRPF where he reportedly confessed and admitted to his act of planting the bomb under the instruction of 39 Assam Rifles, Nungba.
The Puiluanh Pei is said to have imposed a fine upon the culprit as per the customary law of the Rongmei Naga Tribe.
According to various sources, when interrogated, Singh also revealed that he is a CID/GD of the 87th Battalion of the CRPF of Kambiron (Puiluan), and that he planted the IED under the direction of his commander, Inspector Dogra Singh of the 87th CRPF at Kambiron, while the IED was delivered to him by the 39 Assam Rifles at Nungba on the 23rd evening at around 4 pm.
NSCN-IM calls the incident ‘act of terrorism’ and ‘outrageous’
Regarding the incident, the NSCN-IM has come down heavily on the Assam Rifles and the CRPF, calling it an “act of terrorism”. It called out the 39th Assam Rifles (AR) posted at Nungba and the 87th Battalion of CRPF at Kambiron for planting IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) and called the incident “outrageous.”
A press note from the NSCN (IM) stated that, according to the eye witnesses of Kambiron village, the CRPF personnel was identified as Thiyam Ashok Singh of Kongba Leikai, Imphal, Manipur who upon interrogation revealed that he was a CID/GD of the 87th Battalion of the CRPF of Kambiron (Puiluan).
According to the release, the 39th Assam Rifles at Nungba under the commandership of Major Rahul and Major Anil of the 39th AR Kaimai outpost frisked the people from the village who were coming to attend the Jadonang Memorial program. And it was reported that, during the frisking and checking of all vehicles, “nonsensical questions” such as “Is there any IM cadres” and “Is the two elders coming for the program?” were asked.
The NSCN (IM) accused the Indian security forces for planning to disrupt peace and harmony of the village in general and particularly for putting the life of Longchaibi Gonmei, Kilonser and Brig. Lovejoy Jajo, the Commander of Jadonang Brigade, Naga Army in “grave danger”. It was reported that the duo were supposed to attend the renovation program of Jadonang Memorial as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.
The NSCN (IM) called the use of IED to cause panic and death “highly unwarranted” given the peaceful conduct of the villagers led by the CSOs, the local Civil Courts and the public leaders in any situation.
The NSCN while out rightly deploring the “act of cowardice” by the 39th AR and the 87th CRPF, said that the detained CRPF cadre was treated “very fairly” after he was put in public custody and in order to settle the matter amicably, an agreement was signed between the CRPF and the village court.
Organizations calls the incident “absolute act of cowardice and foolishness”
In a joint press statement, the four organizations – the Nungba Area Village Authority Association (NAVAA), RNCM Luangba Luangrian, RNLPM Luangba Luangrian, RNSOM Luangba Luangrian and NAIAC condemned the planting of deadly explosive bomb by CRPF Personnel Thiyam Ashok Singh, CT/INT FORCE No. 055154631 of 87 Bo CRPF at the behest of 39 Assam Rifles Nungba Outpost at Pulluanh (Kambiron), a revered historical village of National Freedom Fighter Haipou Jadonang.
According to the organizations, this is the fourth consecutive incident of a bomb being planted in the Nungba area in the previous four years for no apparent reason, all stage managed, developed, and allegedly engineered by the Assam Rifles.
“Such act of terrorism is outdated, a crime against society and humanity and gross violation of human rights. The conspiracy of the Indian Security forces still haunts and has no room in present society,” the organizations said in a press release.
The organizations also shared their deep concern with the “workings and attitude of Indian Govt. and its security forces against and upon the Nagas.”
“The planting of live fatal bombs by the Indian security Forces who claim to be the security of the people at the exact village of the freedom fighter Haipou Jadonang who is revered by all walk of life is an utter surprise but not unexpected and not a new subject, an act of cowards who can never be trusted,” the organizations stated.
“Planting bomb in a peace zone trying to create fears, tensions and mistrust, only to get ‘good boy’ comment from their higher officer is an absolute act of cowardice and foolishness having no space in advanced society,” it continued.
The organizations also stated that such “direct continuous involvement in the act of terrorism” against the innocent public is a “serious heinous crime by Indian security forces.”
The organizations also said that the people of Nungba Area will not remain as mute spectator and will start a wave of democratic agitation if those CRPF Personnel and Assam Rifles involved are not booked or punished by the court of law.
The organizations also appealed to all likeminded CSOs and peoples to come forward and condemn such inhuman incidents for peaceful co-existence.
