Imphal, March 15 (NNN): Continuing to cast slur on Assam Rifles for allegedly attempting to debilitate Indo-Naga ceasefire, All Zeliangrong Students’ Union ( Assam , Manipur and Nagaland) has today termed the arrest of NSCN-IM cadre by Assam Rifles as “unwarranted”, “highhanded” and “bestial”.
George Gonmei, Joint secretary of Finance of NSCN/GPRN was arrested by Assam Rifles posted at Tamenglong district of Manipur on March 11, on the charge of extorting money from government departments. PIB defense wing yesterday confirmed the arrest. Following which the Zeliangrong community has been advocating that the arrest of George is against the spirit and ground rules of Indo-Naga peace talks and may therefore be construed as attempting to derail the peace process.
Also, Zeliangrong Boudi, Manipur, had yesterday disgorge a cathartic avowal that the Central troopers has departed from the general understanding of the term “ceasefire” by letting loose a pedantic “seized first then fired.”
AZSU today expressed that it fervently condemned the brutal act of 11 Assam Rifles posted at Tamenglong for breaking ground rules leading unwarranted arrest of George despite a legitimate ceasefire agreement and holding a peace talks between the government of India and NSCN-IM. It went on to say that such acts of highhandedness and bestial arrest without warrant have been committed even in the past.
The Assam Rifles has also been accused by AZSU of brutally thrashing innocent publics who had gone to defuse the situation following the arrest. “The innocent civilians who came to save the situation and bring mutual understanding were severely beaten up by the Assam Rifles personnel injuring 4 civilians including 3 women and a media man,” alleged AZSU president Pamei Tingenlung.
Meanwhile, the Union has urged Assam Rifles posted at Khongsang and Awangkhul to refrain from formalism and stop harassing passers-by and commuters on National Highway 53 which ought to be opened round the clock without time limit.
Such due formalism should be stopped. If failed to comply with this, the public shall not support and the slogan “friends of the hill people” shall no longer be applicable, it warned.
