DIMAPUR, April 25 - The NSCN (I-M) today accused the Assam Rifles and the Manipur Police of belligerently trying to throttle it in Manipur at a time when the entire world is battling the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The outfit said the Assam Rifles and the Manipur Police are doing it on the pretext that the ceasefire between the Centre and NSCN (I-M) is not applicable in Manipur.
�They have also taken the antiquated stand that there is no NSCN designated camp in Ukhrul district (of Manipur),� a release issued by the outfit said.
It also alleged that the Assam Rifles earlier attempted to attack the NSCN camp at Kangoi under Kasom Khullen block of Ukhrul district, but women organisations of the area foiled their plan.
The NSCN cadres, however, shifted the camp to avoid further aggravation of the situation, the release said.
The outfit said the intrusion of the Indian Army and Manipur State police into Kashung-Bungdung area when the villagers are strictly abiding by the COVID-19 protocols has put the villagers at a great risk of exposing themselves to the asymptomatic coronavirus carriers.
�Such a blatant violation of the COVID-19 protocols when the whole world is grappling with the spread of the dreaded virus is nothing but highly irresponsible and condemnable by all who share the fear of what is happening to the world today,� it said.
The outfit described the �bellicose stand� taken by the Manipur Government against it as �alarming�.
�This inglorious act of the Manipur Government against the Nagas will go down into history as an act against humanity,� it said.
The NSCN (I-M) said there is every indication that the Union Home Ministry has given a �carte blanche� to the Unified Command of Manipur Police and security forces to deal with it.
