IMPHAL, July 22: The Assam Rifles has in an official statement refuted a news carried in the IFP on July 21 regarding the reported stand-off between AR personnel and Jiribam Police on the arrest of a UTLA cadre claiming that Seikhoneo Giute alias James Kuki, general secretary of United Tribal Liberation Army (S K Thadou) was forcibly picked up and apprehended by Police Commando dressed in civil dress on July 16, 2013 from Jiribam Market.
“Seikhoneo Giute alias James Kuki had gone to Jiribam market to purchase items for Home Coming Ceremony being organized on July 17, 2013. Seikhoneo Giute, general secretary of United Tribal Liberation Army (S K Thadou) had approached Assam Rifles for joining the peace process which had approval of Government of Manipur and Government of India and the process was under progress when Seikhoneo Giute alias James Kuki was apprehended”, it claimed.
“Fearing derailment of the peace process, Assam Rifles troops went to Jiribam Police Station to resolve the matter with Additional Superintendent of Police or Officer Commanding Jiribam Police Station”. “Troops of Assam Rifles were not allowed to enter the Police Station Complex which resulted in verbal altercation. No fight between Assam Rifles troops and Police Station staff took place. Neither was Additional Superintendent of Police assaulted nor was Major Anand Tanti beaten up. The matter was peacefully resolved between Additional Superintendent of Police and Officiating Commandant of Assam Rifles Battalion”, the statement claimed.
“The Home Coming Ceremony of 45 Cadres of United Tribal Liberation Army (S K Thadou) faction on July 17, 2013 was a pre planned and scheduled event, the statement said while adding that the government of India, government of Manipur and the local civil administration including Police were aware of the ceremony and a team from CID Imphal had carried out initial verification of all the cadres on July 15, 2013”, it said.
