No ULFA presence in Nagaland: Maj Gen Sethi

Shillong, Apr 26 (UNI) The Assam Rifles has warned the Nagaland based insurgent outfits - the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and National Socialist of Nagaland- Khaplang (NSCN-K) not to aid the ULFA in the wake of offensive operation against the latter.

''We have warned both the factions of the NSCN not to provide any shelter to the United Liberation Front of Asom in the state,'' Inspector General of Assam Rifles, North, Major General K S Sethi told reporters here today while admitting that the ULFA maintained a close proximity with the NSCN-K.

Asked about the presence of the ULFA cadres in Mon and Tuensang district of Nagaland, the Inspector General said, '' there is no large scale movement of ULFA in the districts.

Whenever we got any information of their presence, the Assam Rifles have acted against them.'' Major General Sethi also denied the presence of other militant groups from Manipur and Asom operating in Dimapur, the commercial hub centre of Nagaland.

Terming the allegations and counter-allegations by both the NSCN factions against the Assam Rifles, he said it remained neutral to both the warring faction.

On the recent incident at Wungram colony in Nagaland, the Major Gen said the incident was purely a law and order ituation.'' Two columns of 31 Assam Rifles were already at the spot, but the district administration did not ask us to swing into action,'' he added.

UNI