The Assam Rifles has sent Thounaojam Maheshwar, Republican Party of India (Athawale) national secretary, a legal notice, demanding an apology for allegedly “disgracing” the country’s oldest paramilitary force. Advocate Nitin Khera from the Shillong Bar Association sent the legal notice, citing that Maheshwar had made false and baseless accusations against the Assam Rifles at a “Condolence of Meitei Martyrs” meeting in Delhi on June 30.
The leader had allegedly claimed that the Assam Rifles had been helping the Kuki militants in order to burn down a village defence force, and had further questioned the role of the Assam Rifles in the then two-month long ethnic violence. The legal notice stated that the Assam Rifles has been working diligently to ensure peace, security and development in various regions, including Manipur, and protecting the citizens and upholding the integrity of the nation, especially the Northeast.
It noted that any form of slander or disparaging comment against the organization is unacceptable, and that the remarks made by Maheshwar had caused considerable harm to the Assam Rifles’ reputation and standing in the public eye. The legal notice demanded that Maheshwar tender a formal apology to the Assam Rifles which must be published “in prominent print and digital media outlets” within 15 days, and to desist from making any further defamatory statements and remarks against the force.
Defence sources confirmed that the Assam Rifles had been deployed in Manipur after being requisitioned by the state, with all actions carried out by the force being fair, impartial and for the welfare of all communities.
