LONGDING, Jun 4: The Longding Battalion of Assam Rifles today organised a security meeting to discuss the present security situation in view of the spree of kidnappings/detentions of local village authorities by NSCN K-YA and to find a way ahead.

The security meeting was chaired by the Commandant of the Longding Battalion of Assam Rifles, Col KS Gill along with EAC Longding Dakli Gara and Deputy Superintendent of Police Banghang Tangjang DySP in attendance.

Over 130 Village Chiefs, Gaon Burahs, GPCs, Zilla Parishad Members attended the security meet. The highlight of the event was that 48 family members of the active insurgents of Wancho region were also present at the meeting.

While appreciating the Wanchos in particular and the people of insurgency infested areas Tirap Changlang and Longding Districts for the historic peace protest rally organised on May 30 last to express their deep resentment against illegal activities of insurgents, the security forces assured them that Assam Rifles and the Police will make an all out effort to deny space to insurgent groups in Longding District.

The Commandant of the Assam Rifles Battalion urged the village authorities to take a united stand against insurgency and encouraged the Wancho cadres to shun the path of violence and surrender before security forces and police.

The village authorities pledged that they will not concede to the illegal demands of ransom by insurgents on account of surrender and defections. They also unanimously decided not to allow any fresh recruitment from their respective villages to underground organizations in future. The family members of the active insurgents assured the security forces that they will make a sincere endeavour to convince their family members to surrender before security forces and police.