The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), NSCN (IM) and the Chümoukedima Village Council (CVC) have strongly condemned the IED blast near the Assam Rifles Training Centre (ARTC) at Shokhuvi on July 13, which claimed the life of Havildar Mohd Iqbal of the Assam Rifles and left four other security personnel injured.

In a statement issued through its Communication Department, the NPCC described the suspected IED blast as a cowardly and reprehensible act. It expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Havildar Mohd Iqbal, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured personnel.

Stating that violence has no place in a democratic and peace-loving society, the Congress said such acts not only endanger innocent lives but also threaten the hard-earned peace and stability that the people of Nagaland have long worked to preserve. It urged the authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial and time-bound investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible in accordance with the law.

The NPCC also appealed to citizens to remain calm, maintain communal harmony and extend full cooperation to the investigating agencies, reaffirming its commitment to peace, dialogue, democracy and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) also condemned the IED blast near Khopanala, Shokhuvi, describing it as a cowardly terrorist act intended to spread fear, create chaos and undermine the peaceful atmosphere in the region.

It said the use of activated explosive devices and anti-personnel mines is contrary to humanitarian principles and places innocent lives at unacceptable risk. As a signatory to the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment banning anti-personnel mines, it reiterated its commitment to rejecting the use of such weapons and to upholding its obligations under the agreement.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

The NSCN (IM) further reaffirmed its commitment to the Indo-Naga Ceasefire Agreement, stating that it would continue to honour both the letter and spirit of the ceasefire ground rules while exercising restraint and maintaining peace.

Describing the attack as an assault on the fragile peace and stability of the region, the NSCN (IM) said such acts were designed to sow mistrust, fuel instability and derail ongoing peace efforts. It added that it would make every effort to ascertain the truth behind the incident and identify those responsible, while urging the public to refrain from speculation and cooperate in ensuring that the facts are established.

The Chümoukedima Village Council (CVC) also strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a calculated act of violence carried out by unknown forces against Assam Rifles personnel.

The Council said the incident appeared to be the work of fringe elements determined to derail the fragile peace achieved through years of negotiations and sacrifices made by citizens and security forces.

Calling for a swift, professional and intelligence-led investigation, the CVC urged state and central agencies to leave no stone unturned in identifying, apprehending and prosecuting those responsible and anyone involved in supporting them.

Expressing condolences to the family of the martyred jawan, the Council honoured his supreme sacrifice and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured personnel. It reaffirmed that the people of Nagaland stand united against terror and would not allow attempts to revive violence to undermine peace and justice in the state.

The Naga People’s Front has strongly condemned the suspected IED blast that occurred at Sukhovi in Chümoukedima District on Monday afternoon, in which one security personnel lost his life and several others sustained injuries.

Stating that such cowardly acts of violence targeting the security forces are unacceptable, the NPF extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the departed security personnel and also prayed for the speedy recovery of all those injured.

The NPF urged the concerned authorities to launch an immediate and thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible and ensure justice without delay.

The party also reiterated its commitment to upholding peace, law and order in Nagaland.