IMPHAL, Aug 20: The Assam Rifles in a statement three days after the Moreh incident, claimed it treated people with gunshot injuries on the day of the clashes.
A press release of the paramilitary force sent out by email at about 7pm today added almost as a timid footnote at the end of a summary of its role on the day that it treated one person with gunshot injuries.
Three hours later at about 10 pm, it sent out another press release but with the footnote paragraph revised to bring up the figure to four gunshot injuries.
Three days after the incident, it seems the unit was still unsure of the records it keeps.
The release does not mention either how serious the injuries were, or the likely calibre of weapons the injuries were caused by.
The release also said its troops were out on the streets on regular patrol when the stone pelting broke out, but on the day of the incident it did not report hearing or witnessing any gun fires, or treating anyone with gunshot injuries.
Those the AR release now claims it treated are `Lalminlen Zou (35) of Moreh Ward No.7, Hougunlen (25) of Ward no. 1 Moreh, Lalminlen (28) and Seingam (24) of Chawangphai who had reached their gate seeking help. Irrespective of any biases, Assam Rifles worked on the humanitarian front and provided relief to the students`.
The police however had no report of gun fires to be communicated to the press so far.