IM lambastes Pallel incident

Dimapur, March 18: The Government of People?s Republic of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) reacting sharply to the incident in which eleven of its cadres were killed by the Indian Reserve Battalion, IRB has questioned the ?act of insanity? perpetrated at around 8 pm on March 15, at Pallel in Chandel district. The NSCN (IM) publicity wing said, IRB personnel ambushed the NSCN (IM) cadres traveling in a vehicle. They were on their way to celebrate Naga Republic Day. It further said, among the under unfortunate 16 NSCN (IM) cadres, 4 of them escaped amidst rains of bullets, while one Sergeant Hirakalung was arrested and ?brutally tortured? as per the witness record. Condemning the act, the wing said that the act perpetrated on its cadres has highly reflected the gravity of barbarism of the Indian draconian laws and ?conditionally conditioned the NSCN cadres, waving aside the significance of cessation of all kinds of hostilities,? which is also an ?insult to the Indo-Naga ceasefire and the subsequent ongoing peace process.? The release asked the Centre to clarify its position at the earliest and to bring to justice the culprits so the ?peace process? is upheld, adding ?it shall be seen most unfortunate if the GoI fails to clarify her position and produce the culprits into justice.? It also demanded immediate release of Sergeant Hirakalung. The NSCN has further condemned the cooked up story of the incident, thereby deceiving the public by interpreting the ?barbaric massacre? of the 11 cadres as mere skirmishes due to attack from the NSCN. It regretted that such ?devious spell of insanity will worsen the relation for which the Indian Army shall solely hold responsible.? While reiterating its commitment to ?peaceful settlement,? it appealed the GoI and Indian Armed Forces to clarify her position at the earliest and also punish those who carried out the ?cold-blooded? action and to prevent from being nudged to the point of ?undesirable reprisal.?