Mara council refutes allegation of imparting arms training

Aizawl, Nov 1 (UNI) Mara autonomous District Council (MADC) of Mizoram has denied allegations of "imparting arms training to Mara tribal youths" near Mizoram border.

MADC chairman H C Lalmalsawma Zasai said in a statement here today that in reference to the allegation of Congress MLA Lalrinliana Sailo in just concluded assembly session that ''30 to 40 Mara youths are undergoing training at underground camps near Mizoram-Manipur border.'' ''We have approached the concerned officials who immediately initiated an investigation. Even, the intelligence agencies did not find any such training camps within or near the inter-state or international borders,'' Mr Zasai stated.

He added that the "allegations are baseless and an attempt to tarnish the image of the Mizoram government" but admitted that there had been an attempt to go underground in 2002.

The statement further lauded the achievement of the Mizoram government, in ''maintaining peace'' in the state adding ''Thanks to the efforts of our chief minister and the home minister. We have seen insurgent groups, the BNLF and the BLFM coming back to the mainstream and minorities are feeling very safe in their leadership''.

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