NEW DELHI, March 25 ? Admitting that the abducted Deputy Commissioner of Manipur?s Chandel district was in their custody, the general secretary of NSCN(I-M) Th Muivah has set several pre-conditions for release of the official stipulating that if Government responds positively then the Deputy Commissioner would be released unharmed within the next few days. The Naga International Support Centre (NISC) quoting Muivah has demanded an immediate apology from the Government of India for the attack at Pallel in Chandel district in Manipur that led to killing of 11 NSCN (I-M) cadres. The general secretary has also demanded return of all weapons seized by India Reserve Battalion (IRB) besides, a full-scale inquiry by a ?neutral? authority.
?The situation has been created by the armed forces of the Government of India. The Government of India then must apologize for the treacherous attack and return all weapons captured by the IRBI. Nothing more is to be said, Muivah was quoted as having said. ?Nagas abhor violence. The government of India should not take this lightly. Nagas are provoked to take action. If the Government of India responds positively within the next few days the Deputy Commissioner will be released? he warned. ?While the peace talks are in full swing it is never wise to provoke such a situation. It shows that the Government of India is never sincere. The Nagas have lost trust in the endless promises of the Indian Government to abide by their commitments for a peaceful solution,? Muivah asserted
In the interest of human rights for all concerned NISC urges the Government of India to conduct a full-scale investigation by neutral authorities. To enhance credibility in this, NISC suggested involvement of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG), which is to be expanded with representatives of impartial organisations including national and international as has already been agreed last and laid down in a joint statement a release issued by the Council demanded. It may be mentioned here that NSCN (I-M) abducted Deputy Commissioner Y Thamkishore Singh along with his wife and at least eight personnel of Manipur Rifles in what was an apparent retaliatory attack. Subsequently the officer?s wife and eight Manipur Rifles personnel were released though their weapons were kept back by the ultras.
The incident is likely to have a bearing on the ongoing Naga peace talks as the NSCN (I-M) has been claiming violation of the ground rules of the ceasefire. Interestingly, however, the ceasefire is not in effect in Manipur and perhaps this was the reason why the India Reserve Battalion ambushed the NSCN (I-M) leaving 11 of them dead. The para-military forces also seized several sophisticated weapons from the dead militants. The incident also confirmed that the NSCN (I-M) ultras were active in Manipur at least in the Hills, which has a sizable Naga population.