DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 30 (MExN): Following yesterday’s stand-off between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM) at Seithekiema, near Patkai Christian College in Chumukedima, another day of tension and anxiety plagued the residents of the area today. After giving the activists of the outfit time to vacate the area yesterday, the Assam Rifles sent out another patrol around the area today at around 11: 30 am only to find that the NSCN (IM) activists were still around. The Assam Rifles were then joined by the civil administration and police at around 12 noon in another stand-off which created enormous anxiety, fear and panic among the public of the area.
The Assam Rifle personnel said the underground cadres were in full uniform and heavily armed both yesterday and today while the NSCN (IM) accused the AR of surrounding them ‘without provocation’. For the entire day, Naga civil society like the Naga women Hoho as well as the GBs gathered in the area to find a resolution to the standoff.
It was only after the intervention of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation that any untoward situation was averted. Member of the Forum for Naga reconciliation including Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Dr. Phughato and Naga Students’ federation chief Imchatoba, talked to the NSCN (IM) activists and requested the Assam Rifles to allow the faction time to vacate the area.
Convener of the Forum for Naga reconciliation Rev. Dr. Wati Aier said the Assam Rifles’ Major had been very understanding in considering the students of nearby Patkai Christian College who were due to give their examinations on Monday, and had decided to withdraw the forces to allow the cadres time to vacate. Meanwhile, police source disclosed that the situation would be discussed at the higher level on Monday, between the Ceasefire Monitoring Group and the army officers.
.jpg)
